GROUP DISCUSSIONS AND PERSONAL INTERVIEWS

                                                                                                                Dr. Nitin Deshpande

                                                                                                               

Selection process these days has become very tough due to ever increasing competition at all levels. In order to have total assessment of an individual from all perspectives and to minimize the risk of wrong selection, the organizations/institutions have been using a no. of scientific and systematic tools. Two such techniques, with which generally youngsters are little less conversant, are group discussions and personal interviews. This article tries to throw some light on various aspects involved in the two techniques-

GROUP DISCUSSIONS-

The purpose is to assess behavior of an individual especially in groups. Working in teams has become the norm today. In such situations, behavior and response of an individual is highly significant. His listening skills, ability to convince others, home work etc play an important role. During selection programme, most of the professional institutes lay an emphasis on group discussions. The moderator after explaining the rules and announcing the topic silently observes all the members and notes down his observations and evaluates each participant.

The normal time duration ranges from 20-30 minutes per GD and the no. of participants are typically 8-10 in a group. After announcing the rules and topic, the participants are given 2-3 minutes to write down their thoughts, strategies of participation. This is followed by 15-20 minute actual discussion and last 1-2 minutes are given for summing up. Thus one has to effectively prepare on various topics and manage time along with creating lasting impressions. Here are some useful tips and hints for enhancing performance during group discussions-

• ·         Keep ready a 15-20 second introduction with your name, the place you are from, the degree and the name of the College/Institute/ University from which you are pursuing your degree.
• ·         Have a small note pad to take notes/ jot down your/others points. It serves purpose especially if you have to summarize.
• ·         Never address the moderator. Address the group. The moderator ceases to exist, once the GD starts.
• ·         Do not start GD for the sake of it. Once you are convinced that you are adding value to the topic, and then only get into discussions.
• ·          Do not repeat your/someone else’s points. You get score for your points only once.
• ·         Be precise and to the point. If you go into a long sentence, others may interrupt in between and you will not be able to complete your points.
• ·         Make it a point to participate constructively in the GD, at least 3-4 times.
• ·         Do not address any participant by name. Either use his no. while calling him or just say “As he/she said”.
• ·         Do not seek intervention of the moderator at any point of time directly/indirectly.
• ·         Keep in mind to address the pros and cons of the topic given. Remember it is a discussion and not argument or debate, where you have to take sides.
• ·         You never earn points by proving others wrong. Make your contribution and move on.
• ·         Do not point fingers at your co-participants or be aggressive during the discussions. Be cool and composed but at the same time alert and attentive.
• ·         Do not use slang or vernacular.
• ·         Maintain eye-to-eye contact with the group. Display your energy level and overcome fear factor.
• ·         Do not show disappointment on your face.
• ·         Be in the discussions always, you may have to speak at any point of time or you may be asked to do so.
• ·         Practice with different groups on different topics to sharpen your skills.

SOME TOPICS OF GROUP DISCUSSIONS FOR PREPARATION

• ·         Use of mobile phone to be banned on campus
• ·         Education and success- is there any correlation?
• ·         Should government ban consumption of liquor and cigarettes?
• ·         Cost cutting by job cutting- is it justified?
• ·         Corruption- causes, effects and remedies
• ·         Manufacturing Industry cannot adopt “Software Culture” –true or false.
• ·         Privatization of Aviation Industry
• ·         Reservations in private sector
• ·         Coalition government- need of the hour
• ·         Women make better managers than men
• ·         Ethics in marketing
• ·         In advertising- truth is irrelevant
• ·         Ban on strikes in government organizations/PSUs
• ·         Indians are physically incapable of competing at the highest level in international sports
• ·         Boom in market-how far it is true?
• ·         Kashmir Issue- war is the last solution
• ·         Bhagwat Gita and Management
• ·         Arranged versus love marriages
• ·         Perform or perish- mantra of today
• ·         Reservations in IITs and IIMs
• ·         Generation X- Masti Ki Pathshala

PARAMETERS OF GD ASSESSMENT

Following are generally used parameters for assessing GD performance:

1. ·         Subject knowledge
2. ·         Clarity of thoughts
3. ·         Ability to build on other’s ideas
4. ·         Communication skills
5. ·         Ability to think out of box
6. ·         Leadership skills
7. ·         Convincing power
8. ·         Time Management
9. ·         Listening skills
10. ·         Overall Impact

Each of the parameter carries 10 marks, thus out of 100 one gets score.

PERSONAL INTERVIEW

The name of the game here is Perception (about past performance, achievements etc) and Prediction (about future). One-to-one interview is necessary and well justified to complete the assessment process. The purpose is to seek and verify information from the candidate and to decide whether to consider or not to consider the candidate. The interview is generally conducted by a panel of 2-3 experts who assess the candidate on following parameters-

PARAMETERS OF INTERVIEW ASSESSMENT

1. ·         Appearance and Manners
2. ·         Acceptability in the team
3. ·         Communication skills
4. ·         Leadership qualities
5. ·         Subject knowledge
6. ·         Knowledge of related areas
7. ·         General Knowledge
8. ·         Scholastic Achievements, if any
9. ·         Maturity and emotional stability
10. ·         Growth Potential

Each parameter has a weight age of 10 and the final score is out of 100. The interview may last for 15-20 minutes and may have multiple rounds with different panels. The basic technique of interview is Questions asked by the panel members. Apart from this the assessment is also based on observations during interview, listening carefully to the responses, taking down the notes for future references etc. This technique brings on surface either some new dimensions of personality of the candidate or validates previously observed traits during written test and/or group discussions.

Final decision is taken based on combined performance in written test, group discussions and personal interview/s.