Group discussions (GD) are often conducted as a part of the selection process for various internships, jobs, and college admissions. While all of us engage in discussions in our day-to-day lives, a GD as a part of your selection process is quite different. This article will introduce you to the basics of what a GD is, what the interviewer looks for, and the different formats of a GD. The subsequent articles will cover how to strategically prepare for a GD and tips to crack it.
What is a Group Discussion (GD)?
In a group discussion, the candidates are typically seated together in a circle facing one another. They are given a common topic by the evaluator/interviewer and are expected to share their insights and opinions on the given topic in the form of a discussion.
For example, you may be given topics such as, ‘What changes are required in the education system?’, ‘Was it right to implement demonetization?’, ‘Should countries open up or lockdown in the COVID era?’, etc.
GD formats and structure
There is no fixed number of participants in a GD. However, if there are a large number of candidates, they may be broken down into smaller groups.
There are broadly two main formats in which a GD may be conducted:
Moderated - The interviewer picks a specific order for the candidates to speak in and decides a time limit for each candidate to speak. A candidate may be asked to speak more than once as well.
Unmoderated - There is no specific order or time limit for each candidate. The interviewer just gives the topic and the candidates are expected to organize themselves by taking turns and engaging in the discussion. Candidates may even speak more than once in such a set-up. Here, the interviewer typically has a time limit in mind for the discussion as a whole but not for each individual speaker.
On average, you can expect to speak anywhere between 1-3 minutes during the entire GD.
Purpose of a GD
From the point of view of the company/college, a GD is essentially an elimination round rather than a selection round. It is a very effective tool to evaluate the candidates simultaneously beyond just looking at their application or conducting a written test.
What is the company looking for?
The company is not testing your specific knowledge about the topic. Instead, they are looking at the following aspects:
Communication skills
Ability to structure your thoughts and analyze the given topic
Ability to think on your feet
Ability to listen to others
Ability to engage in the conversation in a respectful and constructive manner
You have now understood the basic structure and format of a GD as well as the company’s/college’s point of view on the same. The subsequent articles will cover how to prepare for a GD and expert tips on how to crack it.
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