How to Succeed In

Group Discussion

& Personal Interview

2

Purpose of a GD

Prerequisites

Mock GD Do's and Don’ts of GD & PI

Interview facing techniques

GD Topics – CAT 2008

Team player

Reasoning ability

Listening

Leadership

Flexibility

Assertiveness

Initiative

Creativity/out of box thinking

Knowledge

Listening skills

Presentation skills

Initiation

Body language

Communication skills

Cooperation

Most important prerequisite

Exhibit that you are well read and versatile

Knowledge arms you to speak with authority

Speak to the point

One mouth two years (2000 year

old saying)

Most undervalued and least

understood aspect of discussion.

Good listening increases continuity

and contributes to engaging

discussions

Hear what is not being said – Peter

Drucker

Essential for positive impact of your knowledge

Should be informal

Proper beginning and logical conclusion

Do not display your over enthusiasm and go

overboard

Speakers who initiate are usually selected, only if…

they have knowledge and command over the topic

Define the subject before you state your opinion

Transmits signals about your frame of mind

Maintain eye contact with person who

is speaking

Smile while airing your views

Establish eye contact with all participants

Tone of voice should match the intensity with which

you are speaking

Two way process

Seek not only to be understood,

but also to understand

Be a good listener

Keep an open mind

Effective communication

implies timely as well as manner

of interaction

Healthy conflicts are fine

Right to disagree, but you should not be

disagreeable

Build rapport

Respect other’s viewpoint

Be helpful, accommodative and

encouraging

Let us have a

Group Discussion

Cinema – A true reflection of society

Gandhi

All is well

Reality shows – Anything but reality!!

Winning is what matters, whatever may be the cost

Initiate if you are familiar with the topic

Intervene if discussion is turning to

be hostile

Back your points with facts and figures

Listen to others

Be natural, and maintain your composure

Be participative and reciprocative

Say ‘Thank you’ before ending

Say what you feel without going in

“favour” or “Against” it

14

Be loud and aggressive

Speak first if you are unfamiliar with topic

Go overboard with enthusiasm if you are familiar with the topic

Exhibit your emotions

Stop abruptly and change your opinions

Get nervous if previous speakers have presented their points in a better way

15

How to face an interview

Key is to

Project & Present

Oneself

Domain knowledge Articulation Enthusiasm

Energy level Prior knowledge of job requirements

Problem solving skills Leadership qualities Ambition & Motivation Personal appearance

Your strengths and needs for improvement

Peer level feedback

Family/Teachers’ feedback

Research the organization

Newspapers / magazines

Google

Friends, seniors

Research the job

Dress appropriatelyNo loud colours Interview, not catwalkNo perfumesNails neatly clippedShoes shined

Carry necessary documents, logically flagged in a

folder

Be PUNCTUAL

Watch others ahead of you:

How much time each is taking, on an average?

If you are not ushered in, knock first

“Good morning/afternoon”

Avoid, “Sir” or “Madam,” (in private sector)

Do not bend forward when you greet

Greet the interviewer(s) with a firm handshake,

if preffered

Do not sit down till asked to do so

Let the interviewer finish his question. Do not anticipate it.

If you have not heard the question or understood it, request

him/her to repeat it

Give honest, straightforward AND polite answers

Think for a moment or two before you start answering

Speak softly, clearly. Be audible

Speak to the point. Do not digress or show off

If you do not know the answer, say, “Sorry, I don’t know”.

Do not guess or bluff

Do not argue with the interviewers. Express your

disagreement only if asked to do so

If you have any questions or need any clarifications, ask

after the interview

Submit your documents after you are asked to do so.

Finally, thank the interviewers for their time

If there is no doorman closer, gently close the door when

you leave

Describe yourself: your skills and competencies

What are your weaknesses?

Your hobbies, extra curricular activities?

Sound positive. Not cynical or philosophical

Be confident, not cocky

Sleep well the night before

Only facts and truth in your Resume’

(not more than 1 page)

Do not cross your arms or legs

Stand or sit relaxed: take some space

Keep your elbows off the table

Lean forward to listen, but lean only a little

Nod occasionally, and only occasionally

Sit straight

Do not touch your face, clean your specs, etc

Healthy attitude

He who knows how to be poor knows everything Habit and routine have an unbelievable power to waste and destroy A fool can ask more questions in an hour than a wise man can answer in

seven years You have to break a few eggs to make an omellette When all you have is a hammer everything looks like a nail If you want peace, prepare for war Patience is a bitter plant but it bears sweet fruit Cursing the weather is bad farming It is better to be born lucky than rich Good judgement comes from experience and experience comes from

poor judgement If you are not a part of the solution, you are part of the problem Rules are made to be broken

Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.

- Confucious