Employment

Communication-3
BUSINESS COMMUNICATION-II
General Tips to seek gainful
employment
 Understanding yourself: what are you looking for in a job? What
are your current credentials? What are your existing capabilities?
How can you prove yourself useful to an organization?
 Prepare an effective resume that showcases your strengths and
highlights your potential.
 Network efficiently with colleagues, batch-mates, seniors, and
alumni. Use both offline and offline modes to do this.
 Build capabilities and skills that add meaning and value to the
resume.
 Essential components of employment
communication
1. The Cover Letter and Resume
2. The Interview Process
3. Discussions in Groups
DISCUSSIO
NS IN
GROUPS
 Discussions in Groups
Discussion is a process of reflective thinking, thought and opinion.
In a discussion we may continue for some time with predetermined issues but we cannot sell
our preconceived idea.
It is reflective because our thinking and opinion depends upon what others think and what
others express.
A healthy and successful discussion eliminates conflicts and achieves a harmony.
In a discussion each participant presents his or her imaginative thinking by offering
suggestions, adding ideas but different the solutions until all ideas have been appropriately
enumerated.
 The salient features of group
discussion
 Interaction among the various members of the group.
 Group Members: Group consists of followers and leader. The leader has to summarize facts and information,
integrates, simulate thinking, and agree to a solution of the problem. The members of group become actively
related to each other in their respective roles.
 Involvement: The effectiveness and efficiency of a group discussion depends to a great extent upon the active
participation of the members.
 Interpersonal desirability: As long as interaction continues, likes, dislikes, behaviour, temperament of members
are known to each other. Among them empathy develops and as such they share each other’s problems.
 Pressure to obey the rules: The pre-defined and established standards are always enforced and followed.
 Discrepancy: A discrepancy is a conflict, difference, disagreement, among the members of the group, which often
arise during deliberations and discussion. It can simulate the members to find new solutions to the problem.
 Steps/ sequence: Group discussion
process
 The group assembles for a discussion.
 Members are assigned specific seats.
 They are given a sheet to fill in basic information about themselves (optional).
 They are give a topic and (usually) given some time to think about it.
 After some time, the group discussion starts.
 The panel members ring a bell to signal the group to stop the discussion.
 Group Discussions
The Recruiters look for the following qualities in a potential candidate:
 Ability to get along with other people.
 The amount of importance given to group objectives over personal ones.
 Ability to frame issues.
 Ability to suggest ideas.
 Communication skills: articulation, language and listening skills.
Assertiveness: the ability to defend one’s stance.
Ability to take initiative.
 Adaptability: remaining flexible to others ideas and opinions.
 Ability to think on one’s feet.
 Considerations in Group Discussion
 Aims of discussion: The main aim of group discussion is to evaluate how we behave in a group.
 Purpose of discussion: The main purpose of a group discussion is to present a platform for group learning.
It aims at creating an prospect to discuss a problem. The participants in a group discussion attempt at
solving it.
 Participants in group discussion: For successful group discussion there should be an adequate number of
participants. The ideal number of participants for an effective and successful discussion is between five to
nine participants in a group. A faithful discussion, however, can take place when all members share views
and exchange information with each other.
 Venue of discussion: A group discussion should take place in a carefully chosen room. It should be well-
ventilated and illuminated.
Role of observer: A group discussion takes place in the presence of an observer. The role of the observer is
to learn and scrutinize the process of discussion. He or she keeps a watch on the participants and their
participation on the discussion.
 Discussion Skills (1/2)
For an effective participation in a group discussion, we require to improve our skills in speaking
and listening both.
Common Traits which are assessed during group discussions: Knowledge, Communication,
Team Dynamics, Leadership Skills etc.
SKILLS FOR SPEAKER
1. Command over the subject-matter
2. Remarkable or impressive voice
3. Pronunciation
4. Poise i.e. balance (The poise includes our attentiveness, calmness, a brevity (shortness)
attitude and confidence)
5. Effective body language
 Discussion Skills (2/2)
SKILLS FOR LISTENER
1. Positive approach
2. Focused attitude
3. Systematic perception
4. Detailed analysis
5. Body language
 Classification of Group Discussions
There are four types of group discussions:
1.Topical group discussions
2.Case Study-based group discussions
3.Abstract group discussions
4.Controversial topic group discussions

(Note: Description of each type is given in separate PDF document)

Abstract Group Discussion:
Some Topics:
 Red
 Success
 Blood is thicker than Water
 Money is sweeter than honey
 The world does not need religion
 Famous or Important
 Black or Grey
 Black color represents strength, seriousness, independence & authoritative and strong
emotions, whereas grey color represents neutrality, conformity & balance.
 Markets are found not created
Controversial Group Discussion:
Some Topics:
 Is cricket an overrated sport in India?
 Should kids’ reality shows be banned?
 Is India safe for women?
 Can World Peace be achieved?
 Should women be encouraged to work in night shifts?
 Is Technology rising Unemployment rates?
 Should Driverless cars be allowed in India?
 Are women better managers than men?
 Evaluating Group Discussions (1/2)
The panel considers the following questions:
 Who initiates the discussion?
 Who speaks the most for how long; who follows and precedes whom; whom do people look at?
 Who uses what assertions; what gestures are being used and by whom?
 Who interrupts others; who becomes quiet suddenly; who looks at whom?
 Who asks the most questions?
 Does anybody smile or criticize other’s idea?
 Who is a good listener?
 Who dominates the group and who uses aggressive language?
 Who is the most influential participant?
 Evaluating Group Discussions (2/2)
The panel observes the following: The panel observes the following:
 Who steers the group to a plan of action?  Who prevents a conflicts among a subgroup?
 Who gives suggestions on framing the issue and  Who reconciles differences?
bringing it back into focus when it goes off track?
 Who summarizes the issues?
 Who asks for opinions, facts, and suggestions.
 Who impose their decision on the group?
 Do participants adhere to roles such initiator,
 What is the process used by the group to reach a
contributor, information seeker, and summarizer?
conclusion: Voting? Show of hands? Consensus
 Are any norms laid down for the discussion before (agreement) ?
brainstorming?
 How does the group handle stress imposed by the
 Who involves others and draws them into the time limits, the topic, and group members?
discussion?
 Advantages of Healthy Discussions in
Groups
 Healthy discussions offer newer and newer ideas.
 Help us to learn how to transmit our views, examining their validity appeal.
 Through discussions we can share our views and opinions.
Discussion plays a very important role in our learning process.
 By the group discussion process we learn the kind of role a team-effort has in the modern
world.
 We also learn how to respect the views of others, think together and work together helpfully
resolving conflicts and confusions at all steps.