Group Discussion (GD) has become the norm of the selection procedure. For admission or for job – the GD forms an integral part. You may be highly qualified or have passed the test flourishingly, but if you falter at this round, your chances of getting that dream job or institute, stands canceled. There are a few skills that you should thus hone so as to enable making the process a smooth and comfortable one, and so that you are the chosen one. 

Command over Spoken English

A lack of knowledge or being unable to communicate in English, is a deterrent and automatically reduces your chances. You should be able to understand and converse without stammering in the language. Not only this, your vocabulary should also be full of powerful with the usage of apt and effective words. 

Communication Skill

You should possess excellent communication skills. A GD is about communication – putting your views and arguments forth, to defend as well as make others agree with you. Thus if you do not know how to communicate effectively, do not think before speaking, or lose out on time and not put forth your point at the correct moment, then your adversary will gain. 

Knowledge

You should be aware of what is happening around you – in your city, country and the world. And your general knowledge should also be good. If you are an engineer, knowing the latest in technical field or about the jobs, scope and market scenario will help in the GD. Depending on your background – educational and personal, and the nature of the GD, knowledge should be acquired. It will prove your intelligence and awareness. An ignorant candidate is like a historian who does not know who are the hunter-gatherers. 

Convincing Ability

When you make an argument or put forward a point, or contradict someone’s views, your reasons should be convincing. They may not change the point of view of others, but they should accept that what you say has sense and is acceptable. They should be convinced. This means that whatever you say should always be backed by evidence, proof and studies. So if you say that a core chemical engineering company prefers chemical engineers, you should be able to tell the others on what basis you are saying so and quote studies conducted on the same. 

Interpersonal Skills

A group discussion is not a war. It is communicating around a given topic. You have to be a good listener, be empathetic, not over rule, and be patient and humble. Everybody will try to defend their points, but how humanely you are able to do so, how grounded your approach is, if you give a chance to others to speak, not interrupt – is the basis of judging you. You have to work on interpersonal skills thus. 

Problem Solving Skill

In some GDs, you may be given a problem to solve as a group, based on your knowledge, understanding and team work. In such cases it will be taken into account how good you are at problem solving, if you take an initiative and if your suggestions and methods are effective solvers. 

Conceptualizing Skill

Any topic given for discussion has to be understood first before responding or commenting. Here comes to play your conceptualizing skills – how good you are at understanding the concept in its entirety. 

Leadership Skill

A good leader – who not leads but also walks along, who initiates but lets others speak, who understands others view points, takes them into consideration, and does not be over bearing, is a sought after candidate. You should be able to guide the discussion without offending anyone or letting others know that you are doing so, and if you are wrong, you should be able to take it in your stride and net get offensive. To accept the right and do the right, is the trait of a leader.

Apt Body Language

Your body language says a lot about you and your personality. If you slouch or fiddle, be distracted or sit leisurely, it has negative effect on your result. In short, a positive, mannered and confident body language gives you an edge. And a negative, lethargic, domineering and proud body language sends negative messages across to the authority. 

Mature Approach

How you speak, what you say, how you react, how offensive or defensive you are, and your body language, should be mature and not frivolous. A childish approach gives an impression that you are too gay and non serious. 

Confidence

Confidence is always marked higher. Confidence is measured by the way you speak and how you conduct yourself, the way you sit and face your colleagues. Build on your confidence, communicate more with others and talk to the mirror. 

Assertiveness

Being able to assert, is a mighty quality. An assertive person gains in a GD and also in life. 

Team Spirit

A GD is a group activity, and you have to function as a team. You are not enemies facing each other. So you have to discuss and not argue, come to a conclusion together and comment on each others views. As a team you have to support each other and not offend, and also maintain your stand and not get too influenced. A fine balance has to be thus maintained. 

Ability to take Initiative

In a GD, the one who takes the initiative, to start the topic, to introduce anew point, and to conclude, is eyed by the judging authorities very carefully, and usually stands a good chance. So learn how to take the initiative, but not blurt irrelevant or out of topic. And it should be an intelligent initiative which makes sense. An opposite will on the other hand, reduce your chances and you will be labeled as an over enthusiastic and immature professional.