Stand out

Updated on: Monday, February 20, 2012

Entrance tests are like a sprint. It's about you and the track. Interviews are like playing golf. It's about you and the lay of the land. But, 'group discussion' is similar to an American soccer match. If you have the ball in hand, 11 players pounce on you to prevent you from touching the goal line. If you follow the rules and understand your opponents, you can project the right image in a group discussion.

Rule 1: Prepare as many topics as you can. Practise mock discussions, preferably with differing groups of friends. Train your mind to think of the pros and cons with reference to different topics. More importantly, it is about looking at all the possible angles

Rule 2: Carry a notepad and pen to note down the discussion points and participants' names. Addressing by name shows your people skills and presence of mind

Rule 3: Let your body posture be of polite intensity so that you come across as a balanced individual with ample energy

Rule 4: Take charge of the discussion right at the beginning. It shows your leadership capability. Start the discussion by setting the framework, state your opening point and leave it to the group. Conclude the discussion by summing up if you can

Rule 5: If you disagree, present your argument without aggression. You are not there to prove that your stand is right, but to show your maturity and capability to think logically

Rule 6: Some companies expect you to stand for yourself in an aggressive environment. Know the company culture beforehand. Look out for yourself. But, do not take all the airtime. You will look immature and self-centred

Rule 7: If another candidate is taking all the airtime, intervene when he pauses so that you can state your point and pass on the chance to someone who hasn't had his say. Group discussions are as much about your point of view as about how you handle yourself.

(The writer, Suman Agarwal is Director, First Impression Consulting Pvt Ltd; Master Image Consultant - MFIPI (UK), Federation of Image Professionals International)

Times of India

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