The Ultimate Tips to Crack any Group Discussion

Jobs for freshers in India can become a challenge if you have little idea how to clear the various rounds involved in the process.

Companies that hire students use Group discussion as a tool to measure a candidate's capability to express his/her views effectively.

In this blog, you will find 5 group discussion tips that are very effective to clear entry-level jobs. These are tried and tested tips on students all over India which aptly fit in the process of Campus recruitment system.

Here are the tips:

Tip 1: Body language matters!

They say that the first impression is the last impression. I won't disagree.

Make sure you sit up straight, look people in the eye while making your point and listen to what others have to say.

The whole idea is to appear professional. You do not want to look at the ceiling while the other candidate is speaking or doing other activities like fiddling with your pen, yawning or waving your hands animatedly to interrupt others.

The bottom line is - by speaking confidently and making eye contact, the recruiter gets an idea that you are alert.

Tip 2: Add good points to the discussion

There might come a time when your best point gets stolen by the candidate who is sitting next to you. You might feel that the situation is slipping out of your hands.

That's okay. Do not panic. There's a recruiter sitting right in front of you, observing you how you react in tough situations

So breathe. Let it go and most importantly - be calm!

This is the chance you've prepared so much for. Just give your best try and don't stress about the results.

Tip 3: Wait, Are you afraid to start?

Don't be.

Remember there are always extra points for the one who kick starts a group discussion. Recruiters out there are looking for candidates who can take ownership of the situation.

Even if you have little-to-no idea about the topic (Example: Is Nationalization of rivers in India good?), start, re-phrase the interviewer's point and invite points from other candidates.

Here's a sample line:

(Looking at everyone) Good morning everyone! Today's topic is "Is Nationalization of rivers in India good?". I'd like to welcome everyone (Look around again) and open the discussion for some valuable points"

This will not only set up a tone for the discussion but will make you more confident, and organized in front of the recruiter.

Tip 4: Show respect to the fellow candidates

During the discussion, a time might come when you will (intentionally or unintentionally) lock horns with your competitor.

Don't get carried away to prove your point. DO NOT use aggression as a means to put forth your point.

Remember, you can earn brownie points if, in a heated argument, you decide to subside if the other person is raising his/her voice. A lot of candidates miss this trick.

Knowing when to speak and when not to speak can turn the game on its head for you.

So how to know when to speak and when not to?

Here's a simple trick:

A few days before the group discussion, make a group of 4-5 friends and practice on any trending topic. Try not to interrupt the other person when he/she is speaking.

On the other hand, if someone is interrupting you while you are speaking, look them in the eye and say "Kindly let me finish my point. I'm sure you will get enough time to speak as well" (make sure you're being courteous while saying so. Also, say it only when it's needed).

Tip 5: The Conclusion

Just like starting a group discussion has extra points, so does ending it with a conclusion.

Recruiters love those candidates who are organized. They look for such skills in the group discussion.

The cherry on the cake here is, by some chance, if you have missed an opportunity to start the group discussion, you can always end it with a conclusion.

Just summarize the points what others have said and come to a concrete conclusion.

Here's a sample:

"So after listening to the valuable points, we can say that "Nationalization of rivers in India" is good because it keeps the river water in check from being misused. Also, thank you so much for participating and making this discussion an interactive one".

This will give a valid reason for the recruiter to double tick your name.

In a Nutshell:

Companies that hire recent graduates need a mix of various skills like leadership, good communication, and team-spirit. They dig out such skills by properly examining your actions in the group discussion.

You are being monitored all the time during the interview. Make it count!

So go ahead, practice hard and ace the group discussions with these tips!