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GD – ELIMINATION ROUND – GATEWAY TO INTERVIEW

DR. SUKANYA SHARMA

• UNIT 1: The Industry-Academia Interface and Achieving Excellence
• Introduction and Need for transition, Business School Scenario, Corporate Expectation Scenario,
Writing a perfect resume, Essentials of group discussion, the art of public speaking, the interview do’s and
don’ts.

• UNIT 2: Personal and Organizational Effectiveness

• The 50 new rules of work, Professional Etiquettes, Effective Negotiation skills, Managing Conflict,
Communication skills, creative Problem Solving, 7cs Model for Professional Excellence, Personality &
Personality Development, Building Positive Mindset and work Attitude, Innovation and creativity,
Work Life Balance, Time & Stress Management.

• UNIT 3: Understanding Business Etiquette and Employment Interviews

• Dressing up, Networking, exchanging business cards, Shaking hands, Dining etiquettes, Understanding
the process, Preparing for the interview: On the day of interview, on the interview table and dress code at
interview, Interview mistakes, How to present well in interview, typical questions asked.
THE TRANSITION
• Competition is fierce, and many aspirants are caught in the web of various
obstacles in their quest to survive in the survival game of their job and
profession.
• Professionals feel marginalized or demotivated by the trend of being exceptional
by staying out of the clutter and the new dynamic trends.
• The biggest barrier preventing students from becoming the best professionals
they can be is their ignorance of or lack of preparation for this change, which
most take for granted and results in stunted progress.
• Inadequate development exacerbates incompetence, which lowers self-esteem
and forces people to accept their mediocrity or stagnate.
• Many students and early-career professionals frequently hold
the misconception that one's academic achievements and
credentials are sufficient to ensure a decent job and a
successful career.
• Indeed, having a degree or certification is important, but there
are other things that matter more when it comes to success in
the workforce.
• To succeed in your job, you need to acquire a variety of life
skills and qualities in addition to your academic
accomplishments.
Develop a Growth Mindset:
• To adopt a growth mindset, you must alter how you view your potential and skill
set. One must be ready to embrace challenges positively and welcome them as
opportunities to learn and grow.
• Developing a growth mindset is one of the most essential traits that raises the
belief that you can learn, grow, and improve your abilities over time.
• With this attitude, you may overcome obstacles and challenges with tenacity and
resolve and see them as chances for development.
Build a Strong Professional Brand:
• Your brand is your identity. Building a solid professional brand is essential in
today’s competitive job market.
• Your brand is how you represent yourself to the outside world, and it
significantly impacts your career’s success.
• Concentrate on developing a good professional brand communicating your
values, talents, and critical selling qualities. Share your expertise and develop a
strong network.
Identify Your Career Goals:
• Spend time determining your career goals and what exactly you want to
accomplish before beginning your job search. Your ability to focus your efforts
and work towards reaching particular outcomes is aided by having a clear grasp
of your career goals.

• Therefore, it is essential to have a clear picture of your career goals so that you
can make informed decisions on the type of education and training you are
looking for or suitable according to your skills and qualifications and the job roles
that align with your aspirations.
Network Strategically:
• It is imperative to identify and connect with people, communities, or
organizations who can provide valuable insights, advice, or opportunities for
career growth.
• Building a solid network of mentors, colleagues, and industry professionals can
support and guide you throughout your career.
• Develop genuine connections with people who share your beliefs and interests
by networking strategically.
Develop Your Soft Skills:
• Your Soft Skills define your personality. Your grades do not determine your all-
around development skills.

• Besides technical skills and knowledge, employers prefer candidates with sound
communication skills, teamwork spirit, problem-solving abilities, and leadership
qualities which are the key factors of Soft Skills. Take the time to develop these
skills through classes, workshops, or on-the-job experience.
Embrace Continuous Learning:
• Life is a learning process as the world constantly changes and develops with
discoveries and trends every day.
• Technology is witnessing miraculous advancement, and it has become crucial for
everyone to keep up with the latest trends.
• Embrace a lifelong learning mindset, and seek opportunities to develop new
skills and knowledge.
Take Care of Yourself:
• Remember to prioritize your well-being and self-care. Self-care is the best care
for a healthy and balanced life.

• It entails making conscious decisions to maintain and improve your well-being

and quality of life.
• A successful career requires a healthy and balanced life, so never neglect to take
care of your physical, emotional, and mental health
Awareness of Topics Relating to Your Background Is Crucial
• Experts advise that you research popular topics related to your field before
taking part in a group discussion.

• While it is not possible to keep track of all topics under the sun, you
should nevertheless have a clear understanding of matters that are closely
linked to your educational or professional background.

• Besides having fair knowledge of the core subjects in your domain, you
must also be well-versed in some common group discussion topics that
relate to today's social and economic environment, emerging technologies,
or current affairs.
Take the lead
• The right time to initiate a conversation is paramount in a group
discussion.

• Some people believe that speaking first helps grab the attention of the
interviewer, but that is not always the case because it can backfire as well.

• You can speak first if you have valuable information or statistics that are
relevant to the topic, but otherwise, it is advisable to speak during
intervals in between conversations.

• If you are uncertain or confused about the subject of the discussion, listen
to other participants, and then rephrase your response accordingly.
There Is No Place for Aggression in Group Discussions
• During the course of a group discussion, be aware of what you say and
how you say it. You will find many participants in a group discussion with
views that differ from your own.

• You must respect their opinions and communicate your perspective

assertively, not aggressively.

• Remember, at no time should you get angry and yell. Controlling your
emotions and staying calm will make you look more confident. Below are
some phrases you can use to express your opinion in a gracious manner.

• If you do not agree with someone, you can say - "I respect your viewpoint,
but I disagree.

• I hold a completely different opinion. "When you agree with someone,

you can use the phrase - "I am in agreement with you; I also have the
same point of view."
• Other than the above two scenarios, you could be in situations where you
partially disagree with someone. In such situations, say something like - "I
agree with you to some extent, but I do not fully support your position."If
you need to intervene at some point, do so by saying - "I am sorry, I would
like to interrupt you there".

• To contribute to an ongoing discussion, you may say - "Apart from that, I

wish to add ..."

• The use of appropriate phrases, such as those mentioned above, illustrates

your willingness to accept other viewpoints while you stand by yours.
Communicate effectively
• What matters in a group discussion is how well you present your views and how
convincing your arguments are to the interviewers and other group members. It is crucial
to speak with absolute clarity, not only to get your point across but also to leave a positive
impression through your speech.

• To improve your vocal clarity, check out some simple exercises on YouTube that will
enable you to deliver a clearer speech.

• Another point to keep in mind is to not sit back after making your opening comment.
Make an entry into the discussion whenever you think it is appropriate to do so, using the
phrases in the previous section.
Listen Carefully, Do Not Just Hear
•
• Listening skills are vital in a group discussion. Listening not just helps understand
the topic of discussion, but it is also an indication of how respectful you are.
• Listen carefully when others are speaking, and then frame your response. Also, nod
your head and make brief eye contact with the speakers. This shows that you are
actively taking part in the discussion.

• All good speakers are great listeners, and to be successful in group discussions, you
must likewise develop superb listening skills.
Work On Your Body Language
• Body language is a form of non-verbal communication. It is gaining
more and more prominence in recent times as it plays a critical role
in defining an individual’s personality, level of confidence, and
leadership qualities.

• Be aware that everything you do, from entering the room to the way
you speak, sit, and react, will be monitored. So dress professionally,
sit up straight, keep your cool, and never appear tense.

• YouTube has many videos on body language. Watch some of these

videos to perfect the art of manipulating your audience with body
language.
Avoid deviating from the topic
• To avoid straying from the topic, try to limit your attention to the content
of your speech rather than its length. If the discussion drifts off-topic,
make an effort to bring the discussion back on track. Attempting to keep
the group on the subject will demonstrate your leadership skills to the
interviewers.
Be the first
• Summarizing the whole group discussion and highlighting the
most important points will enable you to capture the attention
of the interviewers.
• Keep your summary relevant and short. In addition, make sure
to present an impartial summary, not a biased one.
Don’t be aggressive
• Many times participants in the Group Discussion present their
ideas in an aggressive manner to create an impact on the group.
What they don’t know is that shouting and being aggressive can
get them negative points.
Don’t give up
• The last group discussion tip is to make multiple entries in your
session. You can enter the discussion multiple times if you have
a strong answer to other participant’s opinions. This will
strengthen your viewpoint.
• GD is a collaborative discussion that involves a group of people.
Participants play a role in these discussions. Your GD role can impact
your chances of getting selected. Choose your role smartly.

• Opener - The candidate who initiates the group discussion is an opener or

a beginner. As they go first, there is very little time for them to prepare
their arguments. Volunteer for this position only if you know the topic
well.
• Facilitator / Moderator - A facilitator or moderator ensures that no
participant is getting interrupted while making arguments. They also
make sure participants are following the rules properly.
• Seeker of Information - These group discussion participants are not
aware of the topic and look for arguments in statements made by others.
• Opinion Seeker - This person has no stand, they look for an opportunity to
accumulate information and create an opinion.
• Analyst - They analyses and clarifies the arguments and opinions discussed
during the group discussion.
• Community Supporter - These individuals in a group discussion do not have any
strong opinion. They support everyone in the discussion.
• Reliever - They witness the problem with a broader perspective.
• Energy spreader - These group discussion participants are active and indirectly
motivate others to speak up.
• Bridge creator - They concentrate on coming to a common ground and find an
optimum solution to the given problem.
• Summary maker - This GD participant is responsible for concluding the
discussion.
GD TOPICS
ISRO launches Adtiya-L1, India's first
India's successful landing on Moon
solar mission

Inclusion of African Union in G20 Launch of ChatGPT

India Overtakes China in Population. Future

One Nation One Election
Ramifications

Caste-based census Should BCCI invest more on Women's cricket

CHAT GPT- Pros and Cons Vande Bharat Express

Hard Work Vs Smart Work How important is it to be patient in
Business and Management?

Work-Life Balance is a Myth Building strategies Vs Execution

Self Motivation First impression is the last impression

Change is the only constant Leader Vs Follower

Friends, Enemy or Frenemies? Innovation Vs Invention

Ethics or Profit? Freedom: A Myth?

Thoughts on Me Too Campaign Do we need more entrepreneurs than

managers?
Will reduced Goods & Services Tax How is the falling rupee impacting the
(GST) help the Indian economy in Indian economy?
growing faster?

How capable in India of leading Solar Cashless Economy – Is India ready for it?
Energy, Wind Energy revolution?

Is MBA necessary to be Successful in Should the Indian economy be privatized?

Business?

Can India become a $5 trillion economy

Blockchain Technology – Pros & Cons
by 2024?
Views on Bitcoin/CryptoCurrency Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in retail
sector good for India- agree or disagree?

Ways in which Technology is impacting Agriculture Vs Manufacturing Industry in

the Banking sector India