It depends on the company's requirements.

If a company is looking for candidates who are having good presentation skills, people management skills, communication skills, etc then they conduct group discussions to filter better candidates from the fresher pool.

Yes, a group discussion can be an important part of campus placement as it can help assess a candidate's communication skills, teamwork ability, leadership potential, and problem-solving skills. Group discussions are often used as a preliminary screening round before the interview process, as they can provide a glimpse into a candidate's personality and how they interact with others.

During a group discussion, candidates are given a topic or a case study to discuss with a group of other candidates. They are then assessed on their ability to articulate their ideas, listen to and respect others' opinions, build on others' ideas, and communicate effectively in a group setting. This can help employers identify candidates who can work well in a team, have strong communication skills, and can think critically and contribute to group discussions.

However, it is important to note that group discussions should not be the sole criterion for selection. Other factors such as the candidate's academic record, work experience (if any), and individual interview performance should also be considered. Additionally, it is important to ensure that the group discussion is conducted fairly and objectively and that all candidates are given an equal opportunity to participate and contribute.

Also what kind of interview rounds should be conducted is completely the decision of hiring a company. if a company feels that they need to have group discussions in the screening process then there must be a reason, otherwise why companies will waste their time in screening rounds.

So Should a group discussion be a part of campus placement? It all depends on the situation or the company's requirements. In some cases, it's very important and in some cases, it's just a filtration round.

Hence you need to be ready with all the required skills to crack group discussions.

VibrantMinds Technologies, Pune understand this well and hene in all IT Courses provided by VibrantMinds, rigorous training on aptitude, Group discussion & Technology is included to prepare candidates for Job Interviews and the result of this few candidates got multiple offers from TOP IT companies where other freshers are struggling to get one.

Cheers…!

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I can only speak for MIT.

MIT “requires” an interview (which can be waived, but it is Strongly encouraged to have one) and will provide for an interview by Skype.

The MIT interview is for Every applicant to MIT worldwide, is conducted by an alumnus/alumna, and is conducted Prior to the application deadline. Indeed, it is normally best to have the MIT interview Before you submit your portions of the MIT online application.

The MIT interview is a two-way discussion. That allows You to gain more insight about MIT and about the admission requirements and whether you can submit supplemental material, etc.

The MIT interviewer attended MIT and likes MIT enough to Volunteer to interview from three to ten people in a Fall. And an interview with me is 60 to 90 minutes, plus the time for me to contemplate the discussion and fill out the form that is submitted to MIT.

I like to think that MIT will use the interview write-up that we prepare, analogously to the letter of recommendation submitted on your behalf by your Guidance Counselor.

Your guidance counselor's letter will provide an overview of You as a student and as a whole person, from the perspective of someone in your school. The MIT interview write-up provides the admissions officers with the only view point on you as a Person from the perspective of someone who was an MIT undergraduate and understands the MIT undergraduate Community.

The MIT interview points out your Personal attributes that could make you an important addition to that community.

The MIT interview is very important.

I will not comment on the importance of an interview with Harvard or Stanford (etc.) that is conducted After the college has received and initially reviewed your application, and is offered to only a portion of the applicants…….

When you ask for the most important, then it has to be just one aspect.

So, if I have to share the most important aspect of Group Discussion then here is what I believe is the most important aspect of GD during an interview —

Be an active participant in the Group Discussion.

We have to understand this in a bit of detail.

If you have to become an active participant in a GD then you need to follow two rules:

1. Be mentally, physically and emotionally in the present.

There should not be any other thought running in your mind except for what is happening in the GD. Don’t bother about how little you know about the subject being discussed or how smart other participants are looking. Just focus on how things are moving in the GD.

Physically sit erect on the chair and lean a bit forward towards the entire group. Keep your both hands on the table. Look into the eyes of the member who is speaking. When you speak start with looking at one person then move your eyes around to address other people in the GD.

Emotionally you should practice being neutral. Any kind of emotion is going to hamper your chances of clearing the GD. Have a positive attitude towards the GD. Don’t think about clearing the GD just give your full attention to the GD.

1. Be a good listener.

Hearing happens only with ears.

Listening happens when you focus your eyes, ears, and mind of the person who is speaking.

If you can master the step 1 then you can develop a good listening skill.

Next, in order to become an active participant, you need to contribute to the GD. This can be done in the following ways:

1. Put forward your points without thinking about how others will judge you.
2. If you don’t have any knowledge about the subject being discussed then ask questions to the speakers related to the topic. Build on your content as you listen to their answer.
3. Ask for clarification from the speakers. Ask them to give examples if possible so that their point of view is understood very well.
4. Encourage the speaker with whom you agree.
5. Raise doubts against the speaker with whom you don’t agree. Ask them to clarify things so that you can understand their point of view.

Remember, it’s a discussion and not a debate. Involves others and get involved with others in the discussion. Keep your ego aside as you listen and share your thoughts.

Even if you don’t agree with their point of view, respect the individual and his opinion.

Trust the above points helps you as you sit for a group discussion.

All the Very Best!

If the question is, ‘Is it important for an interviewee interview with a group?’, my answer is no. In fact I have only seen this in one instance and it was an odd circumstance. I once interviewed a candidate who was superbly qualified and a genius in our area of expertise. It was clear that he was extremely over qualified and told him so. In fact I was a bit intimidated by his knowledge. I asked him if he could stick around to meet out group so we could pick his brain a little. He laughed as he agreed. That is what we did and we all learned that when we think we know it all we had a long way to go. I was able to secure him as a remote consultant for about three months and he provided invaluable advice.

But no — I do not think it is necessary for a group to interview candidates.

If you question is, ‘Is it important for a group to discuss a potential candidate? I would suggest that it is a good idea. This is what out group would do after we interviewed all of the candidates for an open position. Note that we had multiple people to the interviewing. The open group think is invaluable because invariably someone picks up on something that no one else thought of.

Good Question!

Meaning: Basically, a GD refers to a group of people gathered for a systematic exchange of information, knowledge, ideas, opinion and views about a particular topic, issue or situation having a common objective or interest. Group refers to a number of individuals who may or may not have interacted before.

There are approximately 12 to 15 members or participants in an average GD. A GD lasts for at least 20 to 40 minutes depending on the topic or organisation.

A GD is an unstructured event. That means the topic is not known to the participants in advance. The topic is given on the spot and the participants are given a time period of 3 to 5 minutes to collect ideas, thoughts, opinions and knowledge about the topic before the beginning of the GD.

Who conducts GD: A GD is conducted by institutes, B-schools and companies. For getting an addmission in B-schools, cracking a GD is an essential requirement. Whereas in institutes and companies, it is totally at their descretion if they want GD as thier part of interview process.

Why GD is conducted: A GD assesses the behavioural traits in a person, it's leadership skills, communication skills, social skills, team skills, problem solving skills and presence of mind.

General guidelines or tips:

1. Take care of your appearance. The clothes you wear should be comfortable.
2. Be confident.
3. Understand the topic thoroughly.
4. Have a sound knowledge on numerous topics.
5. Improve your vocabulary. Don't use heavy or big words, it should be easily understandable.
6. Take initiative.
7. Make accurate and sensible sentences.
8. Take care about your behaviour. That means listen to others points and ideas. Considerate their points as well.
9. Represent the topic overall and not just positive or negative points.
10. Last but not the least please keep in mind that it's a discussion and not a debate.

Don'ts:

1. Argue and shout during a GD.
2. Look at a particular participant or evaluator.
3. Over speak or snatch other's chances to speak.
4. Initiate the discussion if you don't have sufficient knowledge.
5. Pose negative body gestures.

Conclusion: Hence, a GD is where in a topic is analysed and at the end the participants come to a fair conclusion summarised in a nutshell.

All the best.

Group discussions play a pivotal role in fostering effective communication, critical thinking, and collaborative skills. Engaging in group discussions enables individuals to articulate their thoughts, share perspectives, and refine their ideas through interaction with peers. It encourages active listening and the ability to respond thoughtfully to diverse opinions, promoting a culture of respect and open-mindedness.

Moreover, group discussions are instrumental in honing decision-making skills as participants weigh various viewpoints, analyze information collectively, and arrive at informed conclusions. They also contribute to the development of interpersonal skills, fostering teamwork and cooperation. Additionally, group discussions enhance self-confidence by providing a platform for individuals to express themselves in a supportive environment. Overall, the importance of group discussions lies in their capacity to cultivate well-rounded individuals who can effectively communicate, collaborate, and navigate complex scenarios in both academic and professional settings.

If you know about the topic,
Be ready to initiate the discussion . And share the updated points with clean parameters.please don't disagree with anyone's statement instead you modify it and present in a kind way. Go by point by point and you should always conscious to present it in a short and sweet way. Cover the points of the fellow Mets so that they also listen.
Kindly learn to use the term of might , May , would , if in perfect places.

If you don't know much about the topic,
First observe the atmosphere and gain some points from other statements and analyse the points which you can add with .when you take your chance. better agree others statements and to add with your own points related to it. When you complete kindly let other to take further and observe and deliver as same as before.

If you are completely blank.
Better ready to conclude , observe the points and observe the style and attitude of the fellow persons. No one is gonna force you to deliver . But remember when you don't have any points . The only weapon is your attitude and the way of presentation . Add few sense of humor and appreciate the peoples attitude and their style and say what you learned from this discussion. This shows you positive attitude and the way of approach.

Remember Attitude speaks louder than knowledge.

I am speaking as an MIT Interviewer.

MIT believes that understanding the goals, motivation, etc allows a better judgment of an Applicant. I have often found that the Applicant omitted something important.

EXAMPLE: Two Applicants who each indicated what place they had won in some science fairs. I interviewed them on successive days. I discovered they had patnered on the project. Each claimed the other was brilliant and responsible for their win. I examined in some detail and wrote each up for teamwork, leadership, and several other positives.

I am far from the only MIT EC to discover unreported positive aspects of applicants.

This past year, I’ve undergone at least 10 (possibly a dozen?) college admissions interviews, so I can tell you what I know about them from my experiences.

Depending on the school, the format of the interviews really does vary; I have had informal interviews at coffee shops, 20-minute phone calls, and nerve-wracking sit-down interviews with admissions counselors! I mostly did alumni interviews because I applied to schools from out of state (which is awesome because you get a student perspective of things).

Whatever the format, there is a common thread linking all college interviews: They want to put a face to the name, to get to know you as a human instead of a list of SAT scores and AP classes. These interviews offer them a 3-dimensional picture of you—the interviewer will definitely be letting their alma mater know if they believe that you are a good fit both personality- and academic-wise!

Furthermore, interviews allow you to:

• Demonstrate your interest in their school (it will be clear you are a dedicated applicant if you make the extra effort!)
• Learn more about student culture and college life there (the interview always ends with questions you have about the school—definitely take advantage of this!!!)
• Figure out if the school is the right fit for you (between you and the interviewer, it really goes both ways. you may find that you don't vibe with the school, and that’s totally fine!)
• Fill in gaps that may be present in your application (maybe a family struggle or special circumstance or new update?)
• And much more that I'm probably forgetting!

Keep in mind: College interviews only help you insofar as you are prepared to answer questions about your motivations, career goals, and reason for choosing the college. They can help, but they can also hurt.

From my perspective, you don't absolutely need an interview for admission. This past fall, I desperately tried to interview for each school to which I applied, but I wish I had known it wasn't necessary (thus far, I've gotten admitted into two universities whose interviews I forgot to sign up for). After all, if you are already a strong applicant, an interview won't change their decision about your acceptance. But if you are prepared to interview and curious about the school, I highly recommend it!

Hi,
Case 1:
If you well know about the topic ..take initiate to start first. Start with introducing yourself alongwith the GD topic. It will be impressive if you start with a quote or short text describing the topic.Give the brief introduction of the topic. Then take them through the technical aspects alongwith Facts and figures. Be clear in your communication and be polite. Communicate the way you are teaching them. Be confident whatever you speak.

Case 2:
If you don't know much about the topic , then the best way to clear GD is to listen others well first. Get some inputs from their views. Make note of important things.
Then on your turn draft those inputs alongwith your insights in beautiful language and present them in a meaningful manner.
Or you can also close the GD by summarizing the notes u have taken of, by saying.. "I will like to close the conversation and would like to conclude that we have discussed....."

Case 3
Follow the same as discussed in case 2.

In my opinion in GD ..the purpose is to check:
English
Confidence
Presentation skills
Communication Skills etc.

So content is not that much of importance. So even if you are just repeating what others have said then also u can get through provided you present the other's view in more impressive manner.

Be clear and confident in terms of your communication. Be clear on what you want to say .
Be fluent. If you are not good in English in terms of speaking, then draft sentences before you speak and then present.

Best Wishes

There are three types of topic that I have seen so far being asked during group discussions.

1. One kind of topics are the general list of topics like "Is internet doing good or harm", "Use and abuse of Mobile phones".
2. One is on current Affairs, some things like "Net Neutrality", "Is funding to space exploration topics justified by a country like India?" (regarding the recent speculation of Indian Govt Spending Rs 1000 crores on a Gravitational Wave detector.)
3. In few group discussions they give topic based on a hypothetical situation, and you have to discuss the solution.

Its very difficult to predict the topics but you can try searching about the specific company and the topics they asked in past. You can read about a few general topics properly before hand because in many cases the Group Moderator may ask you to choose the topic.

I can suggest you a few tips that might help you in your GD.

1. Try reading about the current topics before hand. Don' read the article from a news website. I would suggest reading it from a good magazine or famous blog. I think the language and the points are far better in magazines/editorials.
2. Group discussion requires you to discuss not debate. So keep in mind that you don't over or under speak in this round. Be calm and composed when you speak or suggest any idea.
3. You can try discussing some topics before hand with your friends and it should be in English. It can be very difficult if you can't speak English properly but speaking in the only way out. People may laugh at you at first but you must never listen to them. Try learning form your mistakes which they point out but don't feel bad if they make fun of you. (It has happened to me. But today if can speak, its all because I ignored their comments).

Hope that helps. If you need any further help, write a comment below.

Start reading and gaining knowledge, the more knowledge you have the more confident you are in GD’s .

Here are some Do’s and Dont’s :-

1. Never look at the panelists. NEVER!
2. Try to nod and express yourself while listening to other’s points,it shows you’re involved in the discussion.
3. Always try to support you argument with facts.
4. Always come to a conclusion at the end of the GD before the time runs out.
5. Read a lot of facts and figures related to your domain or the post you’re applying for.
6. Make yourself heard. That doesn’t necessarily mean to shout on the top of your voice.
7. Be as polite as you can throughout the GD.
8. Try to become the facilitator or the refree of the GD by allowing others to speak or if someone is being suppressed give him/her a fair chance, keep bringing into notice the real topic if the group starts to deviate from it.
9. If you want to cut someone during the GD use phrases like “sorry,i tend to disagree” , “i agree with this point and would like to add on” , “i beg to differ”.
10. Never make the GD a one to one discussion, let it be a group activity and look towards each and every member while speaking.
11. Try to give direction to the GD’s so that it ultimately reaches to atleast something meaningful if not a definite conclusion.
12. Never jump directly to the solution of the given topic, discuss a bit about the background initially.
13. Always try to be ethical while representing and choosing your views

Hope this helps :D

However if you need further assistance, i’d be happy to help

All the best !

Let me give you from the HR point of view

Case I: I know about the topic that is to be discussed

1. Good that you know the topic
2. If you initiate the discussion, you better be relevant to the subject of discussion and don’t over sell yourself, sometimes it gives a bad impression to us
3. Don’t interrupt in between when someone is trying to convey their views. This always happens whenever I see some guy who act like Mr. Know-it-all in a GD
4. Short, crisp and relevant
5. If someone gives a wrong/opposite statement to you, don’t start a fight. It’s always good to show respect to your fellow mates. (Team work +1)

Case II: I don’t know much about the topic to be discussed

1. If you are not clear with the topic which is give for discussion, first of all its totally alright to get it clarified with the chair person or the HR, we don’t bite you.
2. Initiating the discussion will be tough call to make.
3. Again, don’t get away from the topic which is under the discussion
4. Try to grasp something relevant and share your views on it which is shared within first few min of the start of the discussion, more you wait you will be pushed down the ladder.
5. If you want to do the summarize of all the point, well that is good.. but make sure you are doing it right.. We always listen to the finishing touch to the GD… (we will wake from our nap only by that time).

Case III: I am complete blank to the topic

1. GOD SAVE THE QUEEN…..
2. Well, you make sure that you have you pen and notepad ready, take notes of every single point which is being shared in the discussion.
3. Repeat Point CASE II: 4 & 5

But my opinion as an HR on the last case, we never give you topic which will leave you completely startled or try to catch you off guard..

After this rest is history….

Group discussion is to test 3 aspects of a candidate.

1. Ability to speak and put forth his/her point of view in a discussion.
2. Ability to discuss & debate proactively by listening and sharing your views.
3. Ability to test your knowledge in a field of your subject or any generic topic.

Just as an example…

So the interviewer calls, say 4 candidates in a room and say …

Current issue is Corona Virus. What do you think, we should be doing to contain it in our society or town?

Every one has their own understanding, knowledge and facts in their heads. But if this does not come out in a structured manner, other persons may not understand it.

It is not so much important, how much knowledge you have on virus.

It is more important how you express the little news or knowledge you picked-up and explained to others in a way interesting and engrossing them in to discuss, what you know..

So communication skills are equally important apart from acquiring knowledge to share with others in your job as well..

The early you develop it, the better chances will be yours in a group discussion.

When all are equal, some one with special skill will be rewarded with a job.

The most crucial aspect of group discussions during interviews is effective communication. The ability to express thoughts clearly, actively listen to others, and constructively contribute to the conversation showcases not only one's communication skills but also interpersonal abilities. Employers assess how candidates engage with diverse perspectives, handle disagreements diplomatically, and build on each other's ideas. Additionally, demonstrating leadership qualities, such as facilitating the discussion or synthesizing various viewpoints, is highly valued. A successful participant strikes a balance between assertiveness and teamwork, fostering a collaborative environment. Ultimately, effective communication in group discussions reflects a candidate's capacity to collaborate, adapt, and contribute positively to a team—a vital attribute in today's dynamic and interconnected work environments.

Group discussions and interviews are distinct components of the hiring process, serving different purposes in evaluating candidates. Group discussions assess interpersonal and communication skills within a team dynamic. Candidates engage in collaborative conversations, showcasing their ability to articulate ideas, listen actively, and contribute constructively. Employers observe leadership qualities, conflict resolution, and teamwork.

In contrast, interviews are one-on-one interactions where candidates respond to specific questions posed by an interviewer. Interviews delve into individual qualifications, experience, and cultural fit, allowing a more personalized assessment. They provide a platform to evaluate a candidate's depth of knowledge, problem-solving abilities, and alignment with company values.

While group discussions emphasize collaboration and interpersonal dynamics, interviews offer a deeper exploration of an individual's capabilities and suitability for a particular role. Both components are integral to a comprehensive hiring process, offering complementary insights into a candidate's overall suitability for a position.

Do you mean the candidates being placed in groups to discuss a particular task? For jobs where team work is important then these groups can show the interviewers who will lead, who will ride roughshod over others, who will put together a good reasoned arguement taking into account others opinions and who will sit back and let others do the work.

When applying for a job after University my daughter went through several stages of tests and interviews for one graduate scheme before getting to the final stage. This consisted of a group of 6 candidates who had to select a project to carry forward and justify their decision. One person there seemed the ideal candidate as their Masters degree was in a relevant field and knew a lot about the business. This candidate was not offered a position as she was a nightmare in the discussion group. She would interrupt others, keep going over points that had already been discussed and rejected and basically wanted to be the centre of attention.

My daughter had a Bachelor's degree that was not directly relevant but was still offered a job. Her handling of the difficult candidate showed that she could work well in a team, stay focused on the target, argue her point while still respecting others.

Had the business not done this final stage then they would likely have taken on the “ideal candidate" and not my daughter. Now a few years later, several departments want her to join them and she has progressed quickly to be in a position of running her own projects.

Group Discussion or GD is any discussion that you have within a group. In order to do well in a GD, you need to be thorough with the current happenings in your country and around the world.No topic can be generalized for a GD. But, there are certain fields like politics, terrorism, sports, business, philosophy, etc from which the topics for a group discussion are most likely to be chosen.
Following are some topics on which you must have some information as these are likely to be the topics in recent group discussions.

1. Demonetization: The whole country went through a crisis because of it. However, in the long run, this seems to be a promising step.

2. Goods and Services Tax (GST): This tax reformation law seemed like a revolution.

3.Paris Climate Agreement: The whole world was shocked to witness the withdrawal of America from this agreement.

4.Terror attacks in Orlando, Syria, London, Spain, etc.

5. India’s performance in any sports (Cricket, hockey, badminton, shooting, football, etc)

6.Feminism

7. Homosexuality: LGBT Community and their rights.

8.Reliance JIO: A curse or a boon?

9. Make in India Project.

10. Work ethics and corruption.

These are some of the topics for campus interviews. I hope this helps.

Many people have misconception about GD that eloquence of a person is key to success in GD.well that's partially true . GD is mainly conducted to check many soft skills of a person which does include your Articulation but its not the only thing .

Every selected person will be working in a team after joining the firm and this is the primary reason why GD is being conducted.They want to find a person who is good fit for the organization. And no one is going to select you just because you spoke fluently.

What HR scrutinize during GD : //Important Part as per your Question..

• Who is an excellent listener(doesn't mean you have to be super silent :) )
  Show Confidence even if you know that you are speaking the biggest s**t the world has ever heard :) . It will prove worthy.
  
• Who is actively contributing(doesn't mean speaking like Dhoni :) )
• Is he short Tempered?(Big No if you are.Never show emotions ). Because you are going to work in team environment with your colleagues . Being short tempered will hurt you .The important is being rational and prudent.
• How you Disagree?How you resolve conflicts?How you Channelize the discussion towards conclusion?
  
• How you excuse yourself?
• Does he know what GD v/s Debate means?Always remember you are in GD not debate . Don't start brawling.

To conclude a group discussion, first of all, you need to be fluent and confident.

• You need to listen each and every candidate carefully and keep all the points in your mind.
• At the end of GD, try to be little dominating because there may be other candidates who want to conclude GD. You have to grab the chance.

During conclusion: Just summarize positive and negative aspects of candidates in 3 or maximum 4 lines. After that talk more about future aspects of that topic or future solutions to something in that area.

For example, if topic is Starbucks, then you can give solutions to increase the Customer Satisfaction Index, Market Value, Promotion.

• Keep in mind that ending should be positive, use hand gestures, maintain eye contact with every candidate and most important confidence. That's it.

(In case if you don't have anything to say and you have to conclude a GD, then simply copy paste other candidates content with a pinch of salt that too with confidence. Sometimes it works.)

Icai has recommended following topics and in addition we should know about current topics like budget, Farm bills, Citizenship act, Abrogation of article 370, Electric vehicle,etc.

Group discussions:

• Group Discussion is a cycle where we trade thoughts and assessments on the given subject or topic is primarily led for choosing contenders for admissions to the administration programs.
• A gathering may have 6-7 people. Each gathering is given a theme, which might be general or explicit. Whenever you have breezed through the insight assessment at that point you're GD, speech and relational abilities and critical thinking abilities will be tried.
• To help you better we have a couple of set of tips and focuses which will be useful during readiness or introducing your contemplations.

Personal interview:

• PI is an individual meeting is essentially a gathering coordinated by an enrollment specialist in which he assesses an expected representative for planned work. In any case, this gathering ought to be considered as a two-path measure between the applicant and the questioner.
• The questioner hopes to discover how well the competitor could do the work and fit in with their association and group and the applicant plans to show that they are the most ideally equipped individual for the work and for the association.
• An individual meeting ought to be considered as the opportunity to excel and to sell your candidature in a productive and warm way.

Well concluding a GD is the best thing to do in selection process.
But best only if you have properly heard everyone and there points and now that on the basis of that you come to a conclusion.

Before concluding make sure your aware of how many students are in support of the topic and how many are against. And now start by saying “As it is noticed that X percentage of students are supporting the topic but at the same time X percent are against but coming to a conclusion….”, now give your understand about the topic, try to give its benefits and at the same time its disadvantages (keeping both balanced) give a conclusion.

NEVER ever take a side and never be like “I THINK THIS IS RIGHT OR WRONG….”
Stay neutral and always try to suggest points with a proper example.

PS: Confident is the key.