Group Discussion & PI- Essential

Practices.

Jayaram. V, PhD
HR Head & Advisor
BTech (ME), ME( Manufacturing), DCA, PGDCA, DIM &PGDHRM
 GD- Nutshell
• Usually -5 to 6 in number- sometimes 10 (for sales)
• A topic is “given” for discussion.
• Topic can be classified into Four:
• General (usual stuff- Current policy, Covid, cashless economy..)
• Controversial/ Argumenta. (Provocation- check your temper)
• Abstract – (Example- ‘the end justifies the means”-Phrase:
-wrong or unfair methods may be used if the overall goal is good)
• Case Study.
 What HR wants to know
• Whether you are a good team player?- Com Skills.
• How flexible you are ?- acceptance towards participants view.
• Subject knowledge.
• Listening skills.

Its all about the “TEAM”, not individual.

GD-in parts

Start → Body → Conclusion

Grabbers
• Start of the session: High entropy- complete chaos.
• Start with a high voice (high pitch)- “Pitch in”.
• Introduce yourself.
• Excuse me “team”, may I have your attention please. I am Jayaram and I
would like to initiate the process. May I?
• Todays topic is “controversial”, “Interesting”, “Important”…etc- Definition.
Start with a “Quote”.
• "Caste cannot be abolished by inter caste dinners or stray instances
of inter caste marriages. Caste is a state of mind. It is a disease of
mind”.- Dr B R Ambedkar- A session on Reservation.
• “My most brilliant achievement was my ability to be able to
persuade my wife to marry me.” – Winston Churchill- Love marriage
or arranged-I would like to request every one to contribute in this
session/ GD. So lets begin…
Defining the problem
• Farm Law- Example: Essentially the controversial farm law are :
• Trade and Commerce Act, Price Assurance and Farm Services Act and the
Essential Commodities Act
• The essence of these acts are :
1. Allows electronic trading and e-commerce of scheduled farmers' produce.
2. Prohibits state governments from levying any market fee, cess, or levy on
farmers, traders, and electronic trading platforms for the trade of farmers'
produce conducted in an 'outside trade area’.
3. Provides a legal framework for farmers to enter into pre-arranged
contracts with buyers including mention of pricing.
4. Defines a dispute resolution mechanism.
5. Removes foodstuff from the list of essential commodities.
Start with a story(ഒരു കഥൈ സ ോല്ലുട്ടമ..)

• Start with a small story – related to the GD.

• Moral is essential.
• Hard work – Robert Bruce’s story with the Spidey.

Start with facts and figures

• Collect data while skimming –reading - newspaper.
• Collect data from websites.
• Hard work – Robert Bruce’s story with the spidy.
Post a question to the “team”
• Post question to team – Answer it in a meaningful way.
• Do not contradict your self.
• Example- Wars- Nuclear weapon etc.
• Alternative- Post a “statement” on the theme.
Personal Interview
Tell me about your self ?
• Start→ Well, as you can see from my resume….
• Run through the resume in chronological order (From first to last).
(Time: 50 s to 1 min)
• End→ with a phrase. Now that what’s brings me here today
• Modus operandi: “Sell your Values”- Communicate your values.
• Explain the relationship between the JD and YOUR CV.
Tell me about your self ?- Formulation
• HR wants to know two things- what’s more important to you. –Fit for
the role?
Tell me about your self ?- Formulation
• Include List of Accomplishments + Proof of performance- include data
from internship etc.
• Explain to the recruiter –how your “skills” are aligned to their JD.
• Use excitements to convey passion – However, slow down when
required.
• Eye contact – Dress – Body language.
Questions-PI
• a) Tell me about yourself
• b) Why do you want this job?
• c) What are your strengths and weaknesses?
• d) Tell me about a challenge or conflict you have faced at work and how
you’ve dealt with it?
• e) Where do you see yourself in 5 years? (What are your short-term/long
term goals?)
• f) Are you planning to have children?- Marriage related question?
• g) Do you have any questions for us?
• h) Why should we hire you?