Group Discussion Personal Interview (GDPI) –  A Step Closer to the Reckoning

 

Fahad Tanweer

Lecturer, Dept of English, Fatoni University, Thailand

 

ABSTRACT:

This essay deals mainly with the phase when a candidate, after successfully passing the written test, has to face interview or GD. Today almost all good professional courses have at least ‘personal interview’ as the essential requirement for the entrance. Though there are a number of books and published materials available online or otherwise, the essay gives a brief idea of what and how one should prepare before GDPI.

 

 

INTRODUCTION:

We are living in a world which, as everybody says and knows, has become a global village. The impact of globalization has been immense. As it has affected every sphere of life, it has rather affected the education much more than anything. The field of education, overall, has experienced a sea change. So much so that today’s student of higher secondary classes, probably, possesses much more knowledge than a Ph.D. student of 70’s did. Like every sphere of life there is enormous competition in the field of education too. As a result today’s student finds himself in a situation where there is an ocean of opportunities. On the other hand this flow of opportunities might prove to be a disadvantage as the student is, sometimes, unable to decide which course he should go for. There was a time when mere degrees used to be the guarantee for a successful career but now the degree is only ‘a step’ of the success ladder.

 

If we talk about different sciences vis-à-vis successful career, medical and engineering sciences are still the most favored ones. But there are many more good subjects, like IT and Business Administration, which equally provide glittering career. Successful candidates, passing out from good business schools, are being offered very handsome salaries by MNC’s and reputed firms.

 

As we talked earlier, whatever subject one wants to pursue, he/she has to be competent enough to get a good job but more importantly getting admission in good academic institutes is as difficult as getting a good job. Most top business schools, for instance, take into account student’s performance in the written test, group discussion, personal interview, academic record and extracurricular activities.

 

This essay deals mainly with the phase when a candidate, after successfully passing the written test, has to face interview. Today almost all good professional courses have at least ‘personal interview’ as the essential requirement for the entrance.

A personal interview means how a candidate reacts to various situations. It involves his thinking ability and helps the interviewer understand his thought process and attitude. Although most institutes don’t reveal the exact weight age accorded to the interview but it carries a weight age of 10 to 20 percent in most places.

 

One must not take interview for granted since it is the ultimate step towards selection. How one performs in the interview will, perhaps, determine whether or not he/she will be selected for the course. The people who interview are called interview panel. They can be three or four in number. Interview duration may vary between five and 45 minutes. It is a general perception that interview which lasts longer means the candidate has done well. However, this is not the case. In fact the duration doesn’t matter, what matters is the quality of interaction the candidate had with the interview panel.

 

Manners and Etiquettes for the Interview:

Good Institutions not only look for the way the candidate speaks but they observe his/her overall conduct.

 

Dress formally and appropriately:

First impression is the last impression, as they say. No matter what the candidate may think, he/she is going to be judged by how they dress. Make sure to make a good first impression. He/she should wear a dress which meets the requirements of modesty, honor and virtue. One should not put on strange or funny cloth which may lend him/her an absurd appearance and he/she may end up in ridiculous situation. Even if the interviewers dress casually, job seekers are expected to dress more formally. This shows you are taking the interview seriously and that you respect the institution

 

Be on time:

In Europe and Americas punctuality is religiously practiced. In America, for instance, it is said “being early is being on time, being on time is being late and being late is being dead”. In other cultures, however, punctuality is not something as strictly abided by, especially in African and Asian context. Being a job seeker, one has to be extra careful and is not supposed to be late at all. Being on time, or early, is appreciated by the interviewer (‘s) and serves as evidence of your commitment, dependability, and professionalism.

 

How to enter the room:

Many candidates are outside the interview room waiting for their turn. The candidate may be asked by one of the panel members or one of their assistants to enter the room. He/she should ask for permission before entering. After being granted the permission he/she should greet the panel. When the panel members ask him/her to sit down he/she should thank them. While sitting he/she has to be calm, composed but confident. When speaking or taking part in question and answer, he/she should not pretend or assume such role as if he/she is presiding over the conversation. It may be taken as an attempt to impose or force your opinion upon others as well as an insult to the panel members. Certain things need to be addressed before and during the interview

 

a.      Sometimes the candidates are made to wait and sit beyond a particular time due to some breaks like refreshment break. The candidate, therefore, should show patience and engage himself in reading the newspapers and magazines available.

b.      Switch off your mobile phones or other electronic devices before entering the room. Always remember, the interviewer is busier than you

 

Candidate’s behavior inside the room: 

He/she should not be in a hurry to speak or answer. He/she should listen carefully and attentively and speak only when he/she is asked to do so. He/she has to be polite and moderate in his/her voice. The voice should not be so low that it cannot be heard, neither it should be too loud to be harsh for the listeners. He/she has to be soft spoken and reasonable. The answers should be crisp and clear. There is no need to answer the moment he/she is asked. He/she should take his/her time, order his/her thoughts and then answer. If he/she is unable to understand the question, he/she can request the panel member/s to repeat or clarify the question. Don’t interrupt the question. This is totally improper and undignified. Let the panel member complete his question. Moreover, he should lean a little forward to show the panel that he/she interested in what they are saying.

a.      Greet the panel once you enter the room

b.      Sit straight and calmly. Leaning backwards or on to the table shows unhealthy mannerism.

c.      Eye contact is very important during interviews. Don’t looking around the room. This gives an impression that you are not interested in the conversation.

d.      If you don’t understand any question, ask the interviewer politely to repeat the question. Gestures like scratching the head, biting the fingernails or putting fingers on the face must be avoided.

Group Discussion:

Group Discussion (G.D.) holds immense significance when it comes to business school entrance tests. While personal interview evaluates the candidate’s overall personality, GD looks for his leadership skills. So what actually the ‘group discussion’ is?

 

It can be defined as a formal discussion involving 10-12 participants in a group. A topic is given to them, with some time to collect their thoughts and the group is then asked to discuss the topic for 20-25 minutes.

Now the question arises as to why GD is important?

 

Reasons for having a GD:

As a Candidate!

 

·        It helps you to understand a subject more deeply

·        It improves your ability to think critically

·        It helps in solving a particular problem

·        It helps the group to make a particular decision

·        It gives you the chance to hear other students' ideas

·        It improves your listening skills

·        It increases your confidence in speaking

·        It can change your attitudes

 

Reasons for having a GD:

As an Interviewer!

·        It helps in understanding a candidates interpersonal skills

·        It helps in identifying  if a candidate has the ability to work in a team

·        It helps in understanding ones attitude

·        Finally helps in selecting a perspective candidate in a perspective methodology

 

Most business schools have GD as the basic requirement for the entrance, because in the present world of business and knowledge economy, it is essential for a manager to be a team player. A manager will always work in teams. In the beginning of his career, a manager works as a team member and later as team leader.

 

Everybody in the group has to speak his way to perfection. But the participant has to be careful not to interrupt when someone else in the group is speaking. If one starts speaking, he/she should discuss the topic calmly; touching upon all nuances and should try to reach a conclusion.

 

 

He/she has to be flexible and open to another person’s ideas. As it has been told earlier he/she should be reasonable in his/her approach to the topic. He/she shouldn’t be emotionally attached or aggressive to the topic. Being reasonable, not shrewd, means he has to present him/herself as fair and sensible. If he changes his mind too often, he/she will be seen as fickle-minded and whimsical person. If he/she does not accommodate other views, he/she will be considered as stubborn and obstinate.

 

Mere smooth flow of language is not enough to score in the group discussion. A good GD should incorporate the views of all the team members. For that, one has to be good listener. Moreover, there should be a fine balance between the expression of your ideas and imbibing the ideas of others. Certain Dos and Don’ts for GD as prescribed by the experts:

Dos of participating in a GD:

·        Listen to the subject carefully

·        Put down your thoughts on a paper

·        Initiate the discussion if you know the subject well

·        Listen to others if you don’t know the subject

·        Support you point with some facts and figures

·        Make short contribution of 25-30 seconds 3-4 times

·        Give others a chance to speak

·        Speak politely and pleasantly. Respect contribution from other members. 

·        Disagree politely and agree with what is right. 

·        Summarize the discussion if the group has not reached a conclusion. 

 

Don’ts of participating in a Group Discussion 

·        Initiate the discussion if you do not have sufficient knowledge about the given topic.

·        Over speak, intervene and snatch other’s chance to speak.

·        Argue and shout during the GD

·        Look at the evaluators or a particular group member

·        Talk irrelevant things and distract the discussion

·        Pose negative body gestures like touching the nose, leaning back on the chair, knocking the table with a pen etc.

·        Mention erratic statistics.

·        Display low self-confidence with shaky voice and trembling hands.

·        Try to dominate the discussion

·        Put others in an embarrassing situation by asking them to speak if they don’t want.

Some frequently asked questions (FAQs) can help the candidate prepare himself for the GD. 

 

1. How many members will participate in a Group Discussion?

Generally 8-10 members are participating in group discussion. It generally varies depending on the institutes or organization. Some institutes even have more than 20 students.

 

2. What will be the duration of Group Discussion?

It will not be more than 30-60 minutes. But again duration varies depending on how many members are participating in a discussion and how much time is allotted for each person to speak.

 

3. Can we seek for judge’s help during the group discussion?

No, you should not expect any help from the panel members or judges. They will be there just to judge about the character and talents of the individual. You are not supposed to see them during discussion.

 

4. Are paper and pen allowed to carry for group discussion round?

Most of the time, you are allowed to carry them with you. But still, make sure about the same with the organizers. It may be prohibited in some institutes or organizations.

 

5. Whether time will be given to think after announcing the topic?

Generally 3-5 minutes will be given to the participants to think about the given topic and to gather the points to speak.

 

6. Whether initiating the discussion will add benefit?

Yes, after announcing the topic if you begin the discussion definitely you will be noticed by the judges. It will show your leadership quality.

 

But this will works fine only if you have strong subject knowledge related to the given topic. Just for sake of speaking never helps you. Instead, it may create a negative thought on you and will decrease your mark. So, just listen the speech of other candidates. Once you have gathered enough information related to the topic and then enter into the discussion.

 

7. Whether interrupting into others speech will help me?

No never. You should allow them to share their thoughts and views. If you interrupt into their speech it will show you are a dominating character and you will never hear others words while taking any important decision. So, don’t try to be over smart. Just be yourself.

 

8. How often I can speak in a discussion?

In a group discussion quality matters a lot rather than quantity, which means what you are speaking is very important than how many times you are speaking.

Try to give only valid points related to the topic and let others to speak. Maximum you are allowed to speak 3-4 times in a discussion.

 

9. Should I address other candidates by name or number?

If more than 8 members are participating in a discussion it is little bit difficult to remember everyone’ name, especially if all of them are unfamiliar to you. So, instead of concentrating on their names, just concentrate on their ideas you want to put across.

 

You can refer them by indicating your hand, He, She, Him, Her, Your etc... In case, the group members names are familiar to you then it will be fine.

 

10. How aggression is rated in the GD?

Aggression up to a certain limit may be allowed. But if it extends definitely it will create negative consequences. So, just be polite and assertive.

 

11. Should I track the allotted time or the judges will do?

Being aware of time won’t hurt you but make sure it never distracts in your discussion.

 

12. Can we argue in the discussion?

No, you should not do that. Just remember that it is just a discussion to observe certain mannerisms and attitudes of yours and not a debate to argue what you are saying alone is right. Don’t get angry and start to criticize others.

 

Even though you do not agree with others’ point, just say that politely by using kind words. If others do the same to you, just agree with them, if it is correct.

 

REFERENCES:

1.       Sharma, N. (2012), “Group Discussion - More than 100 Topics Covered” New Delhi: Unicorn Books Pvt. Ltd.

2.       Joshi, PN. (2011), “Group Discussion on Current Topics” New Delhi: Upkar Prakashan

3.       Gupta, R. (2011), “Success in Interview Paperback” New Delhi: Ramesh Publishing House

4.       Hundiwala, S. (2012), “Your Guide to Participation and Leadership in Group Discussions For Admissions and Jobs” Meerut: Arihant Publications, India

5.       Kumar, R. (2010), “Interview Cracker: Bank P. O. Clerks and Other Bank/Finance Related Jobs (English)” New Delhi: Student Aid publications

6.       Thorpe, A. (2014), “Put Your Best Foot Forward: Dressing for a Job Interview” 

7.       Varshney, TA. (2012). “I'm Not Afraid of GDPI : Group Discussion and Personal Interview (English)” New Delhi: Pearson Education

8.       Prasad, Hari Mohan. Mohan, R. (2012) “How to Prepare for GD and Interview” Delhi: McGraw Hill Education (India) Pvt. Ltd.