GROUP DISCUSSIONS

GDPI-1

GDPI-1GD and Personal Interview

• Ideas can be generated• Communication skills tested• Leaders can be identified• Ideas can be responded• Employers use for screening

out unemployable candidates• Working in groups drive away

monotony

Why are GDs conducted?

K – KNOWLEDGE• Social awareness

• Knowledge in current affairs.• National and international issues.

A – Attitude• Set your goal – plan actions

• Winning attitudes• Continuing learning.

• Practice skills

How to prepare for a GD? K.A.S.H

S - SKILLS• Develop through practice.

• Presentation skills.• Communication Skills

• Non-verbal skills

H – HONESTY• Honesty all through your efforts.

• Admit your mistakes.• Learn from mistakes.

How to prepare for a GD? K.A.S.H

• Personality

• Communication Skills

• Knowledge

• Leadership and teamwork

GD evaluation process

Personality

• Smartness – dress – smile on the face

• Cheerfulness – free from tensions and nervousness

• Enthusiasm – attitude of taking that one step extra

GD evaluation process

Communication Skills

Fluency : Not speed. But poise and right word in the right place. Clarity : Effectiveness of the message.

Logic:– Presentation skill.

GD evaluation process

Knowledge

Relevance. – Topic related.

Depth – in and out of the subject. Factual info and data.

Don’t talk if you don’t have any knowledge of the subject until the end

GD evaluation process

Leadership

Initiative – taking the lead. Breaking the ice. Being in the forefront.

Team Spirit. – ability to work with people. Cooperation and consolidation.

GD evaluation process

• Show Initiative - Go First• Make a private map: as people introduce themselves write

down their names against their positions on the table. CALL PEOPLE BY THEIR NAME

• If someone else has already started speaking, interject to set a rules.

• Don’t keep looking at the modulator. Make eye contact with the group

• Don’t keep “cutting” others• If you can’t understand the topic or have an opinion, be a

good listener. Then try and form an opinion. Don’t `tune-off’

GROUP DISCUSSIONS SUCCESSTECHNIQUES

• No personal examples• Don’t take `pity’ on anyone• Don’t bang the table or clap your hands• Use: ``please allow me to speak’’, ``kindly

listen to my point of view’’, ``That’s a good point but I agree/disagree’’

• Have one point of view and stick to it. • If you can’t understand the topic or have

an opinion, be a good listener. Then try and form an opinion. Don’t `tune-off’

GROUP DISCUSSIONS SUCCESSTECHNIQUES

CLASS ACTIVITY

GD video

PERSONAL INTERVIEWS

GDPI-2

The Candidate– Clarify responsibilities of the position– Determine if you can/will do the job– Determine “fit”

The Interviewer– Evaluate candidate based on qualifications and

employer needs– Determine “fit”

PURPOSE

PREPARATION

Make your best impression on the interviewers.

Research the company

Know your own strength

Know your weakness

HOW TO PREPARE?

• Portfolio• Copies of your resume• List of Professional References• College transcripts• Two quality pens• Notepad

• Breath mints/polo

RESEARCH

• Learn the corporate culture before you interview.

• Dress appropriately for the position that you are applying. You convey respect to the person you are meeting.

• Define your audience – clients, management, colleagues, staff; fit perceived image for the position.

KNOW YOURSELF

• Why do you want to work for the firm?

• What can you do for the company?

• Your accomplishments/experience• Your strengths/weaknesses• Your initiative, goals and attitudes• Your responses should be unique

and specific

TYPICAL STRUCTURE

• Small talk• “Tell me about yourself!”• Discussion of your background and how it relates

to the position• Your opportunity to ask questions• Conclusion

THE 5 TOUGHEST QUESTIONS

• The tell-all question: “Tell me about yourself.”• The surprise question: “What’s your passion?”• Strengths and weaknesses questions• Questions about the future: “What are your long-

term goals?”• Scenario questions: “What if…?”

Grooming

A last minute rush means you will arrive

flustered. Before you speak you will be

seen

ARRIVE EARLY

THE GREETING

- Greet interviewer by name ( if you know)

- Be polite & assertive

- Clean Handshake to be firm

- Stand with good posture, smile & meet interviewer's eyes.

Don’t be excessively nervous

- Be friendly without being familiar

- Just keep in mind - it is a business meeting

Some common questions

Why did you apply for this job?

What makes you want to work for this company achievement in you career so far?

What do you think has been your greatest achievement in your career so far?

Give me an assessment of your strengths and weaknesses-as a person and in the work you have done.

What did you like best/least about your last job?

How do you envisage your future? Where would you like to be in two years/five years/ ten years time?

How do you spend your leisure hours?

Would you have any problems relocating if you were offered this job?

Why do you think you would be good at this particular job?

Do’s

When answering questions

Do keep your sentences short and to the point. Once you have completed your answer, indicate to the interviewer that you have finished what you wanted to say. One way to do this is to drop the pitch of your voice on the

last syllable of your final sentence.

Do ask the interviewer to repeat a question if you did not fully understand it. Or try paraphrasing it,

Do end your answers with positive points whenever you can. For instance, if you offer some criticisms of the company that last employed you, try to end your comments with a couple of positive remarks about that company, You want to show that you are not biased, that you are able to make an even-handed assessment of your employers pros and cons.

Do be wary of using jargon to impress the interviewer. Technical or specialized language is fine if you are absolutely sure of its use. But if you misuse it, you will look foolish. When in doubt use plain English.

Don’ts

When answering questions

Don’t launch into an answer without taking time to assemble your

thoughts. The interviewer will wait for you, and will be impressed if you

think things through in silence and then provide a well-constructed answer.

Don’t think that you have to keep talking until you are interrupted. Decide

for yourself when you have answered the question, and stop. If the

interviewer keeps interrupting, you are not answering concisely enough.

Don’t play for time Don’t make comments such as, “That’s an interesting

question!’ while nodding your head sagely

Don’t talk in the abstract. This may give the impression that you cannot or

will not commit yourself to a firm opinion. Don’t use words such as ‘one’

or ‘people’. Be personal, and use specific example: In my experience….,

When I was at …., I think that …., and so on.

After the Interview• Write a thank-you letter to anyone

with whom you have spoken– Use standard business letter format– Thank the interviewer– Reference a point of conversation which

was of mutual interest– Recap how your skills and qualifications

fit the position based on your interview conversation

– Communicate your continued interest in the position

Experience and Qualifications are

important, but you may also have

to sell yourself as the best person

for the post.All the best! Go out

and

conquer the world!

REMEMBER