Students’ Speak: Challenges that I faced during GDPI round

By: Aishwarya Patkar

Maintaining calm and using the presence of mind can help you to clear any difficult rounds provided you don't give up or panic.

Going through any campus placement round, Group Discussion-Personal Interview (GDPI) are most common. In 2019, when I went through these rounds, I faced a few problems. The very first difficulty in the GD round was the topic. No matter how prepared you are.GD round may involve abstract or ongoing current market topics and just in case you are unaware of the topic we tend to speak nothing. Once in GD round that I faced, an unfamiliar topic was given for GD. The topic was abstract, “Chicken crossed the road”. I couldn't figure out what to say or what the topic could be about as also the stress factor keeps you from thinking about the topic. So, I decided to listen to what others were saying and not contribute to the discussion immediately. While listening to others I got the clarity of the subject and after becoming sure I started with my part which helped me clear the GD round. Ever since then this strategy has helped me to contribute to any unfamiliar discussion even in other events. If you have nothing to say you can conclude the topic after listening to everyone's opinion which helps you score extra marks for keeping the team together.

As compared to GD where you have a lot of people to compete within PI round you have no assistance. You are on your own. PI round can be difficult if core technicalities are evaluated. When I went through PI for a market research company I had no idea about the statistics on which the market operates. Questions asked was on average ow many trees are there in Pune. At first, I went blank since I had no idea about the calculations. At that moment I used my presence of mind and confidently assigned a variable using common sense. I also told them that I am not aware of technicalities. My honesty, learning attitude and confidence helped me clear the PI.

Hence GD-PI rounds can be difficult if you are not prepared for something you have not prepared for. At such time maintaining calm and using the presence of mind can help you to clear any difficult rounds provided you don't give up or panic.

I cleared the GD and PI round for a finance-based company but I went just to explore how the rounds went. I was selected in spite of having no detailed knowledge. I honestly confessed about the technicalities and I was offered a training too. But I gave up on that. Few months after that I realised that I had missed a very good opportunity. Then I decided to say yes to every big opportunity even if I don't have the relevant skills. Accepting an opportunity first and then learning the required skills can be done.

About the Author:

Aishwarya Patkar is a Human Resource professional, who recently completed her MBA from Neville Wadia Institute of Management. She is working as a recruiter with an IT company in Nasik