Group Discussion: Definition, Types, Importance, Required Skills, etc

Group discussions are often a part of the hiring process of companies. It might be the first or last step of the job interview process, depending on the organization. Do you have your first group discussion interview soon? If so, learn all about it from this article. 

What Is a Group Discussion?

A group discussion can be considered a session where different people come together to shed their opinions on a specific topic. During a job interview, a group discussion takes place between candidates interviewing for the role. Recruiters give serious consideration to how candidates perform during the group discussion before hiring them. 

What Are the Types of Group Discussions?

The different types of group discussion interviews are as follows:

• Factual group discussions: These types of discussions are based on real-world topics to assess a candidate’s ability to digest information. Additionally, it also evaluates an individual’s ability to understand socioeconomic concerns.
• Abstract group discussions: These group discussions help evaluate a candidate’s ability to approach a topic with originality and lateral thinking. 
• Case study-based group discussions: The topics of case study-based group discussions are focused on real-world situations. The group is usually given a fictitious scenario which needs to be addressed. 
• Opinion-based group discussions: These group discussions assess how well candidates can present their viewpoints and beliefs. In these group discussions, members are usually expected to present views rather than facts. 

Importance of Group Discussion

The different types of group discussion enable recruiters to understand the following:

• Suitability of a candidate for the job
• The ability of a candidate to work in a team
• Communication skills of a candidate
• Comfort of a candidate in speaking spontaneously
• Pronunciation and diction of a candidate
• Posture, body language, and maturity of a candidate

Which Skills Are Evaluated in Group Discussion?

In a typical group discussion example, the following skills of a candidate are evaluated:

• Subject Expertise: Every employer tries to figure out a candidate’s expertise on a specific topic through group discussion. 
• Originality: Recruiters will focus on your ability to present original ideas while speaking in a group. 
• Creativity: Several jobs require candidates to offer innovative solutions. Group discussions are a way of assessing whether a candidate possesses creative and unconventional thinking skills. 
• Fluency: If you are applying for a sales or customer service role, recruiters will assess your ability to speak fluently through a group discussion. 
• Listening Skills: While speaking, most people are only concerned about attracting attention to what they are saying. However, employers prefer candidates who have active listening skills, which is necessary for keeping an empathetic attitude toward clients and customers. 
• Body Language: Your body language during the group discussion will help employers figure out a lot about how you will behave at work.
• Initiative: If you take the initiative to speak first in group discussions, panelists will see that as your ability to demonstrate leadership qualities. 

Tips to Be Successful In A Group Discussion

A few tips to be successful in a group discussion interview are as follows:

• Maintain eye contact with others when you are speaking and with the speaker when someone else is speaking.
• Don’t interrupt someone when they are speaking because the recruiter will go for a candidate who has team spirit. 
• If you don’t have adequate knowledge about the topic, don’t start the discussion.
• Stay updated about current affairs because a majority of group discussion topics are based on current events. 
• Remember that the quality of what you say matters and not how much you say.
• Don’t panic if someone has already mentioned a point you were planning to speak about.  

Common Subjects to Practice Group Discussion

Some common subjects to practice group discussion are as follows:

• Is AI a boon or bane?
• Mental illness is only an issue in urban India. 
• Should the rich in India be taxed more?
• Social media platforms are killing creativity. 
• Smart work or hard work?
• Where is the Indian entertainment industry headed?

Parting Words

The group discussion round in a job interview is a great way to impress recruiters. Therefore, leave no stone turned to actively participate in the discussion and prove your worth to employers. 

FAQs:

• Is it important to introduce myself in a group discussion?

Before speaking on the topic, you can take a minute to introduce yourself to the other participants and panellists. 

• Can I ask questions in group discussions?

Asking open-ended questions is a great way of taking forward a group discussion. 

• What should I avoid in a group discussion if I don’t know anything about the topic?

If you don’t know anything about the topic of a group discussion, never try to initiate the conversation.