Success Factors !!

Group discussion is an important dimension of the job selection process. In today’s context, the organizations are interested in team players rather than individual contributors even if they are excellent performers by themselves.

Employers during group discussion evaluate the candidates’ potential to be a leader and also his/her ability to work in teams. Normally group discussions are used in the selection process for management trainees and executive positions. Employers are looking for candidates who have potential to be executives and to lead teams of people.

What the panel looks for?

All that one observes in a GD can be categorized into two broad areas: the Content and the Process.

• The content is all about the ‘matter’ (or the ‘what’) spoken in the GD. Whereas, the process refers to the ‘how’, ‘when’ and ‘why’ of the GD.
• Both are equally important and need adequate attention at all stages.
• A high quality contribution with no regard to the ‘process’ is as suicidal as one which is high on packaging with little content.

Critical success factors in a GD..

• Cognitive skills or knowledge:
The most important aspect of your contribution to a GD is the quality of content (QOC), which is reflected in the points you make, knowledge of the relevant subject, and the supportive examples you give.

• Comprehension of the core idea:
It is essential to deliver high quality content. But to do that, you should speak on the topic and not deviate. The panel basically wants to see whether you have identified the crux of the problem and whether you are offering relevant solutions.

• Logical reasoning:
It includes understanding the topic, generating quality arguments, analysis and a progressive approach to a justifiable conclusion. This is one of the necessary attributes to be seen in an influential participant. Such people convey an impression of being open minded and logic driven rather than opinionated.

• Behavioral and personality skills:
This includes certain attributes like rapport-building, team membership, participation, patience, assertion and accommodation, amenability, leadership, etc.

• Communication skills:
You should be able to articulate your thoughts properly and you should also be able to understand what others are trying to say.

• Clarity of thoughts:
In whatever you say, follow a logical sequence/order rather then presenting the points in some bits and pieces.

• Body language and eye contact:
These are some tools which check your level of confidence and whether you can work together effectively in a group or not. So, be sure to maintain eye contact with everyone in the group.