Soft Skills -Group discussions

What are group discussions/criteria for evaluation,/ types/sample topics

1. GROUP DISCUSSIONS
Dr. MALA PANDURANG
Dr BMN College of Home Science Matunga, Mumbai
NAAC Reaccredited A Grade with CGPA 3.64/4
College with Potential for Excellence

2. GROUP DISCUSSIONS
When a group of people come together
to share and exchange information on a
given subject, it is called a group
discussion

3. G.D AS SELECTION
CRITERIA
 An opportunity to observe and form an
opinion about a large no. of candidates
in a short span of time
Opportunity to assess skills not
possible to observe in a C.V

4. Group of 8 – 15 persons
Candidates are quite free to discuss the
topic without any interference from the
evaluator
No one is appointed the leader and no
one is the follower

5. QUESTIONS THAT
EVALUATORS POSE
Did the candidate speak at all?
What is the knowledge level?
What are her analytical skills like?
Was she able to provide leadership?
Did she antagonise the group?
Is she a team player?

6. Is she a good communicator?
Is she a good listener?
Does she respect the opinion of others?
Did she speak sense?
Is she able to quickly focus on crucial
issues?

7. QUALITIES THAT ARE
EVALUATED
Leadership
Interpersonal skills
Analytical skills
Team spirit
Verbal & non-verbal communication skills
Problem solving skills
Ability to handle people

8. DOs
Focus attention on the given topic
 Don’t speak first if you are unfamiliar with the topic. Speak at the
most opportune moment

Try to speak something new which has not been said by others
earlier
Listen to others attentively so that you may express your viewpoint
in favour or against a particular argument
Allow other members of the group to express themselves to their
satisfaction

9. Try to put your case in such a way that
your line of argument becomes the
centre of discussion
Use dignified language at all times
 keep in mind the importance of non-
verbal communication

10. DON’Ts
Do not interrupt others when they are speaking
Do not go overboard with enthusiasm
Do not impose yourself upon others
Do not get irritated/emotional at any point of time
Do not make fun of others/put others down
Do not deviate from the subject given for discussion
Do not feel shy to express yourself if you have an
unorthodox view
Do not hesitate to disagree if you have sound

11. PRE-REQUISITES
Knowledge
Listening skills
Presentation skills
Ability to initiate
Communication skills

12. KNOWLEDGE
 Well read and capable of expressing
views on a wide range of subjects
Able to give examples to support one’s
ideas

13. LISTENING SKILLS
Listening makes you a better speaker
Listening helps to generate ideas and
formulate thoughts
Listening encourages other candidates
to express their views

14. BODY LANGUAGE
FACIAL EXPRESSIONS
EYE CONTACT
SITTING POSTURE
TONE OF THE VOICE

15. TYPES OF GROUP
DISCUSSION
Fact based topics : need a sound
knowledge/must have an opinion
Excellent reading habits of various
socio-economic topics

16. INTUITIVE GROUP
DISCUSSION
Tests one’s ability to present thoughts
in logical manner
Participants have more or less same
amount of knowledge
Eg. ‘Should beauty contests be
banned’

17. CASE STUDY G.D. TOPICS
Specialized type of technique used for
recruitment for prof. Organizations/iim
entrance exams
A business situation/decision prolbem is
depicted
Participants discuss and recommend
course of action

18. Sample topics
Position of women in India in 21
st
century
Effect of cinema on youth
Are studies more beneficial in India or abroad

Will the odd/even rule in Delhi for traffic work?
Advantages of co-education
Have values of Indian youth evolved