Group Discussion

Phrase List

1
 GD TIPS

Proper Ambience
Make sure to place your desktop or laptop at a place which is well lit and has proper seating
and lightning arrangement. Be at a place from where your face is visible properly. Avoid
having any background noise or distractions and arrange for a seat that is calm and silent.
Remove all possible distractions so that you get everything in one go. Do not irritate the
panel of judges by asking them “may I beg your pardon” or “please repeat”. Remember that
selecting a distraction proof proper ambience will help you to appear more confident and
answer questions correctly.
Ensure that there is nothing that would distract you during the interview such as the TV or
your Phone. Make sure your background is plain and does not have any posters or photos.

Proper Sound
 Ensure your internet connection is good and stable if possible.
 Check your computer’s audio.
 Test your computer’s webcam at least twice before the interview.
 Close any unnecessary web browser tabs and applications.
 If you're using a mobile phone to participate in the interview, make sure it's well mounted
so that the front camera is at eye level. Again make sure to check audio and video well
before the interview begins.
 Have a pen, notepad, and copy of your application copy, CV, profile, SOP, etc., on your desk.
 When listening, nod and smile to show you are engaged.
 Look at the webcam to maintain eye contact with the interviewer. Don’t look at the
computer/ mobile screen.
 Place your phone in silent mode during the interview.

Be groomed and presentable

Although not completely, your face and upper body will be visible to the judge’s panel. Be
groomed and make yourself look professional and formal. Note that personal appearance
be it physically or virtually is of utmost importance. Your confidence is visible with your
personality. Apart from formal dress code, remember to sit straight, maintain eye contact
with the camera. Dress professionally and avoid bright colours.
Pay attention to your body language
Stat with a slightly higher pitch and slightly louder than normal to get noticed and to also
boost your confidence.
Follow the basics of sitting up straight, look everyone in the eye while making your point and
listen attentively to others while they speak. Lean forward slightly at times, tilt your head,
nod to show you’re listening. Look at the others while they speak and show that you’re
interested in what they have to contribute.

2
Be courteous with fellow speakers
Remember that one of the key traits GD recruiters look for is team spirit. Make sure you’re
courteous to others in the group. Make your point but avoid cutting in when others are
talking. Additionally, do not use negative terms like “I disagree” or “That’s incorrect”.
Using milder forms of disagreement like “Adding another perspective to what you just
contributed” or “Looking at it from another angle”, not only displays your positive
personality but also shows you’re a team worker.

Be confident and keep adding 'good' points

The point you thought would make you stand out just got stolen! You feel you’re losing
control of the situation. Do not panic. The panelists can see how you react to tense
circumstances like these. Hence, relax. Breathe. Compose yourself. And jump right into the
Group Discussion with a new point, like nothing happened.

Ensure that your words make sense

While it is important to make a substantial number of points and leave a mark on the
panelists, it is equally important that you talk sense. If you feel that you’re unaware of the
topic, allow others to speak first. Take a cue from what they have to offer and make your
own points. In the worst case, rephrase what your group mates had to offer and reiterate
their points. If you feel you didn’t have much to contribute, summarize the discussion. Talk
not more than a minute and make about two / three entries. Make sure that you pay extra
attention and listen to the questions well. In case there's a lag or an internet glitch, and you
miss out on hearing the interviewers' questions/comments clearly, make sure to ask them
to repeat while informing them of the technical error.

Don’t be afraid to start

If you are well versed with the topic announced and there is a lot you have to offer, pat
yourself on the back (well, mentally). Jot down the key points and be the beginner of the
group discussion. That way, you get an opportunity to lead the discussion, heading it to a
meaningful point of your choice and convenience.

Use supporting statistics and examples

Using famous quotes or examples to back up your points in a group discussion will prompt
panelists to keep note of your cognizance. Also, the use of statistical data to corroborate
your viewpoint fetches further brownie points.

3
 GD PHRASES

Navigator - Self introduction, topic introduction, ground rules, your view

Dear Friends, with your kind permission may I start the GD?

Hello everybody. I’m X. It’s really nice to meet of all of you’ll. Thank you Sir / Ma’am for this
opportunity. As you all know our topic for discussion is .............We are here today to discuss a
very interesting /controversial / serious topic.

Starting options:
 Let me define ………..(words in the topic if required)
 Quote startling stats/facts
 Should we have …..? What do you think ………..? (Answer the questions too)

Express your opinion

So, let me begin by sharing what I feel on this topic / Let’s start with my views on this.

Use the PREP formula to structure your opinion

Navigator – running out of time - allowing for others to participate

Our discussion is going really well but we have only 10 minutes left and all of us have not had a
chance to express our thoughts. Tina, what do you have to say about ........

Navigator - bringing the discussion back on topic

We’ve all made some valid points but I think we’re going a little off track. Should we stay
focused on our topic which is / Let’s get back to our topic on .....
Pardon me, but I think this just leads the debate astray./ we are moving away from the point.

Navigator - Bringing in Focus

- I think we should focus on the main aspects now.
- Let's now consider another important aspect of today's debate.
- I think we have exchanged our opinions on that point now and should move on ...
- You all highlighted crucial aspects, but have we really discussed ... in-depth?
- Thank you for your honest/thought-provoking views, but we should also pay attention to ...

Navigator - sorting out conflict

I think this discussion is getting into a debate. Why don’t we do one quick round on what we all
now feel about this topic?
May I request you’ll to be courteous and respectful when addressing one another?
Why don’t we let Tina complete her point and then we will come back to you?

Navigating - Summarise the discussion

Since we’ve reached the end of our discussion and we are out of time, let me summarise / recap
all our views. We first discussed ..... which led to ........,point 2, 3, 3 .........and finally........ .
To conclude, what our group feels is ........... / what we all believe is ............

4
Active Listening - Stock, stock + build, echo, paraphrase, response based question

Stock - I see, Right, Great question, That’s a good point, I get your point. I see what you mean.

Build - So to add onto what you said about ...../ Let me add something to your point on ....../ In
fact, I also think .....

Echo Word - You mentioned XYZ. / I totally agree that XYZ is / I understand that XYZ
is .............+ I would like to add to that by ..........

Paraphrase or Confirming your understanding + Build

Let me confirm my understanding on what you just said..........................................Am I right / did I
get that right? + Let me add to that / I also think / believe that

Response based question

I got your point on X. I have a question. Why do you think ................ / What do you / How do
you ...............(question based on comment)

Interrupting
- I'm sorry to interrupt here, but .../ - Excuse for breaking in here right now, but ...
- Can I stop you there for a moment?

Fielding of Interruptions
Allow me to finish please. / I would rather you not interrupt me please +

Showing appreciation towards other’s points

That’s a great point / That’s a good question / I really appreciate your point on ......../ That’s a
wonderful thought and let me add onto it. ....................................

Express Opinion or view - phrase + reason + example /proof

I think …/ In my opinion / I believe……… / I don’t think............... because............
- In my opinion, - Personally I think that...- My own view of the matter/issue is that...
- It seems to me that...

Agree with other’s opinion + Reason

I entirely agree with you… / I completely agree with you on this ......as/ because ....
- Yes, I agree (absolutely)./ I couldn't agree more with what you just said.
- That matches exactly with my own view./- Yes, that is just how I see it.
- I absolutely hold the same view. / - We both share the same point of view.
I completely endorse your statement

Partly agreeing with an opinion

I see what you mean, but.../ There is certainly some truth in your words, but you fail to notice
that.../ - I don't entirely agree with you. / - I understand your reasons; however, I see some
aspects a bit differently.

5
 Disagree with other’s opinion
 I appreciate your views on ….. However, I don’t quite agree with......
 I see your point / I see what you’re getting at …however this is not always the case
because …….
 I understand where you’re coming from on this. But that’s not necessarily true as
 I can see why you feel that way but …..I‘m not quite sure I agree with that because
 One difference between your point and mine is / May I give you my reasons? Let me
elaborate by ....................................
 I understand where you are coming from. I do have a different perspective.

Ask for other’s opinion

What do you think Mary? What are your views Jack? How do you feel about that, Cecilia? /
What’s your view on this, Richard? / Any comments Simon?

Recalling previously mentioned point and linking to comment

 Let me for a minute go back to what you had said about .......... + Could you explain why you...
 I would like to recall what X had said earlier about ................ I don’t quite agree with that
because ......... / I have another perspective on that.
 .I’d like to add onto what Tommy had earlier said about …………

Requesting for a re – explanation of a point – clarifying

 I’m sorry. I didn’t quite understand that. Would you mind explaining that again?
 I don't quite get that. Could you please share some details, please?
 I didn't get what you meant by . . . Could you elaborate on that a bit more?
 Sorry that wasn’t totally clear to me? Would you mind elaborating?

Verifying a heard point

 So do you mean we should go ahead with ………. ?
 Are you suggesting that…..?
 Are you implying ..

You clarifying your own explanation

 Let me put it in another way…. What I’m trying to say is …..
 Sorry, perhaps I did not make that quite clear. Let me explain it again.
 Let me rephrase that to make it clearer. What I mean is that…..

6
 PREP Formula FOR STRUCTURING YOUR POINT

1. Express your opinion on topic- I feel .........

2. Reason for the opinion- This is because .............

3. Evidence / example / market knowledge/ numerical to support reason

– Let me elaborate with the help of a ..........

4. Reiterate view - Therefore, I think it is really important .........