Now-a-days, group discussion plays an important role in the selection of candidates.

It has
become an important tool in the selection process. The following attributes of candidates
could be evaluated from the group discussion.

1. Initiative: The ability to take action without being told. The candidate who initiates
the discussion shows this attribute.
2. Content: The ability to generate sound ideas. What is important is the quality of talk
and not quantity of speech.
3. Persuasiveness: The ability to influence others by sound reasoning, i.e. to sell one’s
point of view to others.
4. Conflict handling ability: The candidate may also sort out or manage differences or
disputed viewports between two or more members of the group to the satisfaction of all.
5. Leadership: The candidate who tasks the lead to start the discussion. He may also
guide and encourage others to participate in the discussion.
6. Communication: The ability to express one’s thoughts or ideas clearly and concisely.
7. Group Acceptance: Some participants may dominate to grab the lime light. Such
attitude is not desirable. Others must be given a chance to present their viewports.
8. Time Management: The participant who takes a lead to summarize the discussion
just before the completion of allotted time for discussion.
Body Language during Interviews and Group Discussions

Experts have found the following backup in any communication context. Verbal
communication-7%, bodily movements, gestures, etc- 55%, voice true, inflection etc-38%.

Instructions to be followed:
1. Don’t cross your arms or legs – You have probably already heard you shouldn’t cross
your arms as it might make you seem defensive or guarded. --This goes for your legs too. -
- Keep your arms and legs open.

2. Have eye contact, but don’t stare – If there are several people you are talking to, give
them all some eye contact to create a better connection and see if they are listening.--
Keeping too much eye-contact might creep people out.---Giving no eye-contact might
make you seem insecure. --If you are not used to keeping eye-contact it might feel a little
hard or scary in the beginning but keep working on it and you’ll get used to it.
3. Don’t be afraid to take up some space --Taking up space by for example sitting or
standing with your legs apart a bit signals self-confidence and that you are comfortable in
your own skin.

4. Relax your shoulders – When you feel tense it’s easily winds up as tension in your
shoulders. --They might move up and forward a bit. Try to relax. --Try to loosen up by
shaking the shoulders a bit and move them back slightly.
5. Nod when they are talking Nod once in a while to signal that you are listening. But
don’t overdo it and peck like Woody Woodpecker.

6. Don’t slouch ,sit up straight –But in a relaxed way, not in a too tense manner.

7. Lean, but not too much – If you want to show that you are interested in what someone
is saying, lean toward the person talking.--If you want to show that you’re confident in
yourself and relaxed lean back a bit. --But don’t lean in too much or you might seem
needy and desperate for some approval. --Lean back too much or you might seem arrogant
and distant.

8. Smile and laugh --lighten up, don’t take yourself too seriously.-- Relax a bit, smile and
laugh when someone says something funny. --People will be a lot more inclined to listen
to you if you seem to be a positive person. --But don’t be the first to laugh at your own
jokes, it makes you seem nervous and needy. --Smile when you are introduced to someone
but don’t keep a smile plastered on your face, you’ll seem insincere.

9. Don’t touch your face--It might make you seem nervous and can be distracting for the
listeners or the people in the conversation.

10. Keep your head up. --Don’t keep your eyes on the ground, it might make you seem
insecure and a bit lost. --Keep your head up straight and your eyes towards the horizon.

11. Slow down a bit --This goes for many things. Walking slower not only makes you
seem more calm and confident, it will also make you feel less Stressed. –If someone
addresses you, don’t snap you’re neck in their direction, turn it a bit more slowly instead.

12. Don’t fidget --Try to avoid, phase out or transform fidgety movement and nervous
ticks such as shaking your leg or tapping your fingers against the table rapidly. --You’ll
seem nervous and fidgeting can be a distracting when you try to get something across.--
Try to relax, slow down and focus your movements.

13. Use your hands more confidently --Instead of fidgeting with your hands and
scratching your face use them to communicate what you are trying to say. --Use your
hands to describe something or to add weight to a point you are trying to make.--But don’t
use them to muchor it might become distracting. --And don’t let your hands flail around,
use them with some control.

14. Lower your drink – Don’t hold your drink in front of your chest. --In fact, don’t hold
anything in front of your heart as it will make you seem guarded and distant. --Lower it
and hold it beside your leg instead.
15. Realize where you spine ends – Many people might sit or stand with a straight back
in a good posture. --However, they might think that the spine ends where the neck begins
and therefore crane the neck forward. --Your spine ends in the back of your head. --Keep
you whole spine straight and aligned for better posture.

16. Don’t stand too close—Let people have their personal space, don’t invade it.
17. Mirror --Often when you get along with a person, when the two of you get a good
connection, you will start to mirror each other unconsciously. --That means that you
mirror the other person’s body language a bit.--To make the connection better you can try
a bit of proactive mirroring. --If he leans forward, you might lean forward. --If she holds
her hands on her thighs, you might do the same.--But don’t react instantly and don’t mirror
every change in body language. Then weirdness will ensue.

18. Keep a good attitude --Last but not least, keep a positive, open and relaxed attitude.
How you feel will come through in your body language and can make a major difference.

Body Language Interpretation:

 Crossed arms-the person is in a defensive and reserved mood.

 Crossed arms and legs – means that the person feels very reserved and suspicious.
 Open arms and hands-means that the person is open and receptive.
 Standing before you with his hands inside the pockets - means he is not sure or feels
suspicious.
 Standing before you with his hands on his hips - means he is receptive and ready to
help you out.
 Sitting in a chair shaking one of the legs –mean she feels nervous and uncomfortable.
If his eyes are downcast and face turned away - means he is not interested in what
you are saying.
 With the palm of the hand holding or stroking his chin - means he is in an
evaluating position and being critical.
 Leaning back in his chair with both hands clasped behind his head - means he is in
an analytical mood, but it is also a gesture of superiority.
 Rubbing or touching his nose when answering a question - means he is not telling
the complete truth. If he maintains good eye contact and he smiles in a relaxed and
happy way - means he is definitely receptive to you.
 Rubbing the back of his head or rubbing or touching the back of his neck - means
the conversation is not really interesting. If he moves his body and sits with his feet
and body pointing towards a door - means he wants to end the conservation and
leave the room.

Sitting with legs crossed, foot kicking

Boredom
slightly

Sitting, legs apart Open, relaxed

Arms crossed on chest Defensiveness

 Walking with hands in pockets, shoulders
Dejection
hunched

Hand to cheek Evaluation, thinking

Rubbing the eye Doubt, disbelief

Hands clasped behind back Anger, frustration, apprehension

Locked ankles Apprehension

Head resting in hand, eye downcast. Boredom

Rubbing hands Anticipation

Sitting with hands clasped behind head, legs

Confidence, superiority
crossed

Open palm Sincerity, openness, innocence

Pinching bridge of nose, eyes closed Negative evaluation

Tapping or drumming fingers Impatience

Skills/ Attitude to be assessed

1. Planning Skill
 Encouragesteamtotakeastructuredapproachinobjectivedefinitionandsolution
planning.
 Shows ability in identifying problems
 Suggests solutions: Ensures that both the individual's and the group's time is
managed well

2. Communication Skill
 Expresses ideas clearly
 Speaks out and contributes willingly
 Handles conflict well either when directed at himself / herself or when conflict
arises between other team members
 Shows tact and sensitivity towards others
 Listens too theirs’ suggestions
 Demonstrates an understanding of how others perceive the situation

3. Leadership
 Even though another participant may have taken the lead, continues to assert one's
own views and may even take the lead if group begins to flounder
  Encourages others to contribute to the discussion
 Contributes to a good sense of team spirit
 Expresses opinions/views that are accepted by others

4. Motivation
 Shows energy, enthusiasm and drive in facing the task
 Shows determination and commitment to achieve the best possible solution
 Stands his /her ground when he/ she believes he/she is right
 Shows a positive attitude to accept challenge

5. Decision-making Skill
 Eager to see decisions taken
 Sees the relevance of others contributions and promptly builds on these with a
view to action
 Ensures that in the end, some sound decision is taken

The Dos during group discussion

 Introduces new ideas
 Expresses ideas clearly and convincingly
 Encourages others to give opinions
 Listens before contributing
 Steps in and redirects the conversation when necessary
 Be sensitive to the feelings of others

The DONTs during group discussion

 Dominates the discussion by talking most of the time
 Strays from the subject
 Interrupts other contributors
 Keeps silent
 Be wishy-washy

Useful phrases for Group Discussion

Agreeing

Some phrases are:

“I totally agree with….”
“As a matter of fact, X is right by saying that…”
“I think you are absolutely right”
“I have to side with X on this one”
Disagreeing
“I am afraid to disagree to your point”
“I beg you differ here”
“With due respect, I believe it would be wrong to…”
“With due respect, I would only partly agree to that…”
“I feel it wouldn’t be right to….”
“Though I agree with…. it seems to me that…”

Other ways

Though I can understand your approach with XYZ, I’d like to add…./I’d like to offer ….. (share
the idea)
I’m afraid that….
I noticed that in one part of the discussion (topic) was mentioned, but later (topic) was mentioned. I
am confused, as these two concepts seem to oppose each other.
I need some more convincing on XYZ idea…
I’m not quite convinced on XYZ idea….
I’m curious about XYZ idea…. Can you share more insight into that?** (Use this when you don’t
understand/agree.)
On the other hand….
I see this differently…./I see this a little differently b

Opinion

“in my point of view…”

“My honest opinion would be that…”
“The way I see it….”
“The point I would like to make is that…”
“I would like to say that..”
“I am of the opinion that…”