How to stand out in Group Discussions and Personal Interviews

How to stand out in Group Discussions and Personal Interviews

Every year, MBA aspirants experience a series of formidable challenges after successfully passing the first hurdle of entrance exams. Group Discussions (GD), Essay Writing, and Personal Interviews (PI) are essential components of the selection process for B-schools. These stages allow selection committees to examine a candidate’s personality, skills, and overall aptitude. Excelling in group discussions and personal interviews requires thorough preparation, effective communication, and a well-defined understanding of yourself and your goals. Here are a few tips to excel in Group Discussions and Personal Interviews.

Speaking skills: Dedicate 15 minutes daily to reading aloud from books or articles. Practise speaking in front of a mirror once a week to enhance articulation and thought organisation.

Build confidence: Start having discussions with friends and family to gain confidence.

Competitive Group Discussions: After a couple of weeks of content preparation, join competitive group discussions with other aspirants. This real-time practice will help you adapt to different group dynamics.

Listening: Actively listening is often underestimated. A good listener can convey ideas effectively and contribute positively by building on others’ ideas. Avoid the temptation to dominate the discussion.

Make notes: Understand the topic thoroughly and create bullet points and examples in your own words. This will enable you to convey your viewpoint clearly and intelligibly.

Citations: When presenting facts or quotes, always provide the source. This indicates your commitment to accuracy and truthfulness.