GROUP DISCUSSIONS

1. GDPI-1 GD and Personal Interview GDPI-1 GROUP DISCUSSIONS

2. Why are GDs conducted? • Ideas can be generated • Communication skills tested • Leaders can be identified • Ideas can be responded • Employers use for screening out unemployable candidates • Working in groups drive away monotony

3. How to prepare for a GD? K.A.S.H • K – KNOWLEDGE • Social awareness • Knowledge in current affairs. • National and international issues. • A – Attitude • Set your goal – plan actions • Winning attitudes • Continuing learning. • Practice skills

4. How to prepare for a GD? K.A.S.H • S - SKILLS • Develop through practice. • Presentation skills. • Communication Skills • Non-verbal skills • H – HONESTY • Honesty all through your efforts. • Admit your mistakes. • Learn from mistakes.

5. GD evaluation process • Personality • Communication Skills • Knowledge • Leadership and teamwork

6. GD evaluation process • Personality • Smartness – dress – smile on the face • Cheerfulness – free from tensions • and nervousness • Enthusiasm – attitude of taking that • one step extra

7. GD evaluation process Communication Skills Fluency : Not speed. But poise and right word in the right place. Clarity : Effectiveness of the message. Logic:– Presentation skill.

8. GD evaluation process Knowledge Relevance. – Topic related. Depth – in and out of the subject. Factual info and data. Don’t talk if you don’t have any knowledge of the subject until the end

9. GD evaluation process Leadership Initiative – taking the lead. Breaking the ice. Being in the forefront. Team Spirit. – ability to work with people. Cooperation and consolidation.

10. GROUP DISCUSSIONS SUCCESS TECHNIQUES • Show Initiative - Go First • Make a private map: as people introduce themselves write down their names against their positions on the table. CALL PEOPLE BY THEIR NAME • If someone else has already started speaking, interject to set a rules. • Don’t keep looking at the modulator. Make eye contact with the group • Don’t keep “cutting” others • If you can’t understand the topic or have an opinion, be a good listener. Then try and form an opinion. Don’t `tune-off’

11. GROUP DISCUSSIONS SUCCESS TECHNIQUES • No personal examples • Don’t take `pity’ on anyone • Don’t bang the table or clap your hands • Use: ``please allow me to speak’’, ``kindly listen to my point of view’’, ``That’s a good point but I agree/disagree’’ • Have one point of view and stick to it. • If you can’t understand the topic or have an opinion, be a good listener. Then try and form an opinion. Don’t `tune-off’

12. CLASS ACTIVITY GD video

13. GDPI-2 PERSONAL INTERVIEWS

14. PURPOSE The Candidate • Clarify responsibilities of the position • Determine if you can/will do the job • Determine “fit” The Interviewer • Evaluate candidate based on qualifications and employer needs • Determine “fit”

15. PREPARATION • Make your best impression on the interviewers. • Research the company • Know your own strength • Know your weakness

16. Portfolio Copies of your resume List of Professional References College transcripts Two quality pens Notepad Breath mints/polo HOW TO PREPARE?

17. RESEARCH • Learn the corporate culture before you interview. • Dress appropriately for the position that you are applying. You convey respect to the person you are meeting. • Define your audience – clients, management, colleagues, staff; fit perceived image for the position.

18. KNOW YOURSELF • Why do you want to work for the firm? • What can you do for the company? • Your accomplishments/experience • Your strengths/weaknesses • Your initiative, goals and attitudes • Your responses should be unique and specific

19. TYPICAL STRUCTURE • Small talk • “Tell me about yourself!” • Discussion of your background and how it relates to the position • Your opportunity to ask questions • Conclusion

20. THE 5 TOUGHEST QUESTIONS • The tell-all question: “Tell me about yourself.” • The surprise question: “What’s your passion?” • Strengths and weaknesses questions • Questions about the future: “What are your long-term goals?” • Scenario questions: “What if…?”

21. Grooming

22. ARRIVE EARLY A last minute rush means you will arrive flustered. Before you speak you will be seen

23. THE GREETING • Greet interviewer by name ( if you know) • Be polite & assertive • Clean Handshake to be firm • Stand with good posture, smile & meet interviewer's eyes. Don’t be excessively nervous • Be friendly without being familiar • Just keep in mind - it is a business meeting

24. Some common questions • Why did you apply for this job? • What makes you want to work for this company achievement in you career so far? • What do you think has been your greatest achievement in your career so far? • Give me an assessment of your strengths and weaknesses-as a person and in the work you have done. • What did you like best/least about your last job? • How do you envisage your future? Where would you like to be in two years/five years/ ten years time? • How do you spend your leisure hours? • Would you have any problems relocating if you were offered this job? • Why do you think you would be good at this particular job?

25. Do’s When answering questions Do keep your sentences short and to the point. Once you have completed your answer, indicate to the interviewer that you have finished what you wanted to say. One way to do this is to drop the pitch of your voice on the last syllable of your final sentence.  Do ask the interviewer to repeat a question if you did not fully understand it. Or try paraphrasing it,  Do end your answers with positive points whenever you can. For instance, if you offer some criticisms of the company that last employed you, try to end your comments with a couple of positive remarks about that company, You want to show that you are not biased, that you are able to make an even-handed assessment of your employers pros and cons.  Do be wary of using jargon to impress the interviewer. Technical or specialized language is fine if you are absolutely sure of its use. But if you misuse it, you will look foolish. When in doubt use plain English.

26. Don’ts When answering questions • Don’t launch into an answer without taking time to assemble your thoughts. The interviewer will wait for you, and will be impressed if you think things through in silence and then provide a well-constructed answer. • Don’t think that you have to keep talking until you are interrupted. Decide for yourself when you have answered the question, and stop. If the interviewer keeps interrupting, you are not answering concisely enough. • Don’t play for time Don’t make comments such as, “That’s an interesting question!’ while nodding your head sagely • Don’t talk in the abstract. This may give the impression that you cannot or will not commit yourself to a firm opinion. Don’t use words such as ‘one’ or ‘people’. Be personal, and use specific example: In my experience…., When I was at …., I think that …., and so on.

27. After the Interview • Write a thank-you letter to anyone with whom you have spoken • Use standard business letter format • Thank the interviewer • Reference a point of conversation which was of mutual interest • Recap how your skills and qualifications fit the position based on your interview conversation • Communicate your continued interest in the position

28. REMEMBER Experience and Qualifications are important, but you may also have to sell yourself as the best person for the post. All the best! Go out and conquer the world!