Importance of Group Discussion

• Generally, group discussion is a method used by the companies or organizations to

check whether the candidates have certain personality or skills which are must for
their members or employees. Nowadays, group discussions have become a main
stage in the recruitment process. In this discussion, the group of applicants or
candidates is given a topic or a scenario and few minutes are provided them to think
about the same, and then asked to discuss the situation among them for a limited
time. Organizations conduct group discussion after the written test so as to test the
interactive skills of the candidates and how good they are at interacting with other
people. Group discussion also tells about how candidates behave, participate and
contribute in a group. Also, recruiters come to know about how much importance
applicants give to the team objectives as well as their own, how well they listen to
viewpoints of others and how open-minded are they in accepting the views contrary
to their own. Group Discussion is conducted to evaluate your following skills:
• Confidence.
• Effective Communication.
• Quality of Language.
• Listening Skills.
• Assertive Attitude.
• Paraphrasing Skills.
• Leadership.
 Types of Group Discussion

• Generally, group discussion categorized into two categories i.e.

Topic-based group discussion and Case-based group discussion
as discussed below.
• Topic-Based Group Discussion: In this discussion, a topic is
provided to the candidates about what they have to perform
the discussion. This logic has been drawn from the actual work
scenarios. In this discussion, the given topics are of three kinds
i.e. Factual topics, Controversial topics and Abstract topics
(related to intangible things).
• Case-Based Group Discussion: Instead of the topics, small cases
are handover to the candidates which leads to the questions
and they have to discuss those questions. This will help in
finding out the problem-solving abilities of the candidates.
 Objectives of GD
• Enhance Critical Thinking: Group discussion is used in a classroom to improve
learning, asking open-ended questions will encourage critical thinking and help
students think for themselves
• Help with Understanding: Group discussion use to help students to understand a
topic or concept deeply which will stay for a long time in their minds.
• Improve Communication Skills: It is also used to improve communication skills as it
can encourage students to become more confident in speaking up and asking
questions. This will help them improve their communication in the long run because it
should make them more confident to ask if they’re stuck and need help.
• Improve Interest in Lessons: It improves learning, as group discussion invites the
students to be the speakers. This helps students as it can maintain their focus and
concentration to hear another voice instead of listening to the same teacher, which
holds their attention.
• Provide the Feedback: When learners discuss and explain the concepts to each other
aloud in a group, it helps the teacher to hear if they have learnt a concept or not. This
is a perfect feedback on teaching. It means that, if the teacher sees that they don’t
understand something clearly, they can help them by stepping in and adding some
more context or information in their discussion.
 BRAIN STORMING-GD
• Suggestions: It is through group discussions that a meaningful and practically
implementable solution can be reached. The Collaboration of these suggestions gives
rise to a new one, creating a space for the best possible output.

• Wide Approach: Group discussion helps to provide a wide approach to any concern
under consideration, as it includes employees from different sections of a particular
business organization.

• Decision Making: Group discussion helps in evaluation of a problem and reaches to a

suitable decision, based on suggestions presented by the members. It also makes it
easier for the boss or chairperson to able to take even the toughest of decision with an
ease because by group discussion he/she can know that the decision to be taken will be
supported by other members of the company also.

• Exchange of Ideas: With the help of group discussion the exchange of ideas is taken
place. As every member participated in the discussion put his/her thoughts on the table
and this makes the diversity in the ideas.

• Productive Activity: Group discussion is always supposed to be a productive way in

terms of business concern. It is the proven method which always helps to procure the
 Importance of Group Discussion in Selection Process

• Assertiveness: Confidence level of a candidate shows up in a group discussion. It is

assessed that how confident candidates are, while putting up their opinion in front of
others.

• Team Work: While working for a company, it is very important to work as a part of the
team in an assigned project. This quality is really important and this will be evaluated
through group discussion. You not only put your own points but also listen to others
and then come to a concluding point.

• Leadership Qualities: Group discussion clearly indicates who amongst all the
participants is taking the lead and who is a passive contestant. As a good leader gives
the entire discussion a good direction and takes it forward whenever it is moving from
the main topic. This quality is also evaluated through this process only.

• Communication Skills: As communication skills are must in every field of work. These
are evaluated through a structured group discussion.
 Do’s of Group Discussion
• There are several things about which you have to be careful
while group discussion.
• Speak pleasantly and politely in the group.
• Respect and recognize the contribution of every member and
represent it with a nod or a smile.
• Agree and acknowledge whatever you find interesting.
• Disagree politely because it is a discussion and not an argument.
• Do a mental revision of what you are going to say. Think of how
you can best answer the question or contribute to the topic.
• Stick to the theme of discussion and not get engaged in other
irrelevant discussions.
• Follow etiquettes while speaking.
• Be confident.
 Don’ts of Group Discussion

• Some of the don’ts are listed below about which you have to
be careful while presenting yourself in front of others.
• Don’t lose your temper. It is a group discussion, not an
argument.
• Don’t speak loudly or aggressively. Always use a moderate
tone and a medium pitch.
• Don’t do gestures like finger pointing and table thumping. This
can appear aggressive, so limit your body gestures.
• Don’t dominate the discussion. As confident speakers should
allow the quieter, a chance to speak up and contribute to the
discussion.
• Don’t draw too much on personal experience.
• Don’t interrupt when someone else is speaking. Wait for a
speaker to finish before you speak.