Tips for Group Discussion and Personal Interview By IMS India
The Group Discussion (GD) and
Personal Interview (PI) stage is usually the final stage of
selection for a ManagementSchool. The best institutes lay a
significant emphasis on this stage because it helps them to evaluate
the candidate personally.
Two things are to be always kept in mind while gearing up for the GD/PI stage.
Please understand that the Panel which is evaluating you has seen very brilliant students year on year and has seen how those students have performed within the institute and in the business world at large. They will be incorporating this feedback into their decision making. It would be wise to assume that they have a keen insight into who may perform and who may not perform. At the same time they may be willing to take an odd risk to whisk in a 'maverick'. The Panel will definitely want to judge if the candidate is 'groomable' in the first place.
Qualities that indicate that a person is 'groomable'
are- humility, objectivity, positivity, good values, being able to
understand different points of view, empathy, ability to accept
mistakes, be able to receive feedback, swiftly correct one's
thinking, etc. These qualities come under what one may call good
'emotional intelligence', 'the right attitude', etc. Qualities which
indicate that a person is difficult to groom are: excessive
arrogance, over confidence, stubbornness, rigidity, boastfulness,
rebelliousness without a proper cause, scepticism, distrust, etc.
The Panel make try to surprise you or 'shake you up' to bring out
the real you behind all the potential 'masks' that you may try to
put on. 
TIPS FOR THE PI Tip # 1: Know thyself. (Introspect on yourself and the life that you have lived so far. What makes you unique? What have been your failings? Why do you want to become a business manager? What do your family, friends and acquaintances have to say about you? What are the first impressions that people have had of you? Start connecting the 'dots' of your life.) This will be very helpful in answering questions like: Tell us something about yourself; You seem to have a flair for numbers and engineering, why do you still want to pursue an MBA? , etc. Tip # 2: Be honest but also tactful (It is important to not come up with childish answers to questions. There is always a diplomatic way to present the truth) This will be very helpful in answering questions like: Isn't it just money and social status that you are after? Is it true that you have few flaws? , etc. Tip # 3: Demonstrate focus and confidence (It is very important to know why you want to do an MBA and what is going to be your focus through this profession) What is your idea of Management and why do you specifically want to take up marketing? Tip # 4: Demonstrate the importance of good values (This cannot be overly stressed. Keeping the current trends and scenarios in mind, it could very well be a key factor in deciding your candidature) After all what is the guarantee that you will not use your brilliance to exploit people and the society at large? Tip # 5: Be yourself but also be your best self. Your turn out confidence, whether you like it or not will also contribute in deciding your candidature. So be well groomed, display confidence through your body language and practise a lot. PLEASE DO NOT 'second guess' the Panel by trying to 'feed' them with answers you think they would like to hear. You will get spotted out as a 'fake' or a 'con' artist. FOR THE GD Tip # 1: First and foremost, understand that this is a civilised group discussion and not an acrimonious debate. So please behave yourself. Tip # 2: Understand the topic that is put forth to you and do not miss the 'point' of the discussion. Be well informed. e.g. 'Smoking should be banned in public places' is not primarily about cigarettes being injurious to health. Tip # 3: Take initiative if you want to but do not 'force' it. Your communication skills, clarity of thought, imagination, respect for other people's views and maturity should surface through your contributions and body language. Tip # 4: Be fair and allow other people to make their contributions. Do not 'hog' the limelight. Tip # 5: It is also very important to listen carefully to what other people are saying and not just 'pretend' to listen. The quality of your discussion will depend a lot on this. Last but not the least, let us also remember that the Panel too will suffer from its own biases. Your entire effort is to be able to reach out and display that you possess the emotional intelligence, attitude, understanding and maturity that will help you learn and cope with business and managerial complexities and truly excel. I wish you the very best.
PRAVIN SANTOSH VEDAMUTHU IMS LEARNING RESOURCES PVT. LTD. MICA PGPCM BATCH 2004 - 2006
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