ASCENT

CAF FILE
 Do’s and don’ts of Group Discussion
 Do’s and don’ts of Interviews
 Do’s and don’ts of Professional Grooming
 Pre-Interview Research Grid (2 companies)

Submitted to: Submitted by:

Ms. Kshama Hastak Pulkit Chawla
Faculty, MBA-Gen, Sec- ‘B’
ABS, Lucknow. Enrol. no.- A7001909112
DO’s and DON’Ts
of
Group Discussion
Essential Qualities [DO’s] for a Group
Discussion:
Given below are the essential qualities that are necessary for effectively participating in a group
discussion:

 Giving meaningful & relevant content - facts supported by examples, statistics &
illustrations.
 Active Listening skills - for clearly understanding the co-participants viewpoint and
coming up with a rejoinder.
 Convincing presentation style – ability to persuade others on your viewpoints.
 Team Spirit – displaying understanding and acknowledging other's viewpoints,
observing proper group etiquette and co-ordination.
 Leadership Qualities – taking initiative, giving direction & control to the discussion.
 Innovativeness – generating new ideas and out of the box thinking.
 Analytical Ability – giving logical arguments supported by facts.
 Effective Verbal communication requisites for Group Discussions:
1. Simplicity of expression – don’t use complicated sentences or vocabulary. You should
be able to put your point across in simple, easy to understand sentences.
2. Speak directly and to the point - put your point across first and then elaborate upon it
by giving supporting examples or illustrations.
3. Develop effective phrases for entering into the group discussion, handling
interruptions, raising fresh points, refuting a point & giving counter arguments.
4. Monitor your voice audibility & pace for easy comprehension and understanding by
others. Don't speak too fast as it causes you to stumble over words making your speech
incomprehensible. On the other hand, if you speak too slowly, you run the risk of being
interrupted by others.
5. Use a firm, assertive and confident tone while talking.
6. Make sure you don’t keep repeating a point.
7. Don’t use more words than necessary.
 8. Don’t be superfluous in your arguments - if you have expressed an opinion, you must
give some fact or example to support it.
 Non Verbal Communication requisites for Group Discussions:
1. Keep a confident, erect posture showing positive energy.
2. Make appropriate hand gestures to emphasize on points. On the other hand, don't
overdo the hand gestures as that conveys signs of nervousness.
3. Maintain constant eye contact with the participant who is currently speaking and
nodding your head occasionally to show you are listening.
4. Keep a confident facial expression showing enthusiasm, alertness and interest.
5. Use body movements like leaning forward and hand gestures to gain attention when
entering into the discussion to speak.
WHAT NOT TO DO IN GD [DONT’s]
There are some things that participants should avoid doing during a group discussion. They are
discussed as under:

1. Do not lose your temper. Remember that a GD is a discussion and not an argument or a
debate.

2. Never shout. Always remember to maintain the right pitch and tone of your voice.

3. Do not use a lot of gestures while discussing. Pointing fingers at others, stomping your fist,
table thumping are signs of aggressiveness and should be avoided.

4. Do not impose yourself on others by trying to dominate them or by speaking a lot. A confident
participant always gives chance to others and contributes effectively.

5. Do not get personal during interview.

6. Do not interrupt while somebody is speaking. Have the patience to let the other speaker
complete first.

7. Do not get noticed for the wrong reasons.

8. Do not let your nervousness get to you. Learn to manage the nervous outbursts.

9. Do not look at the invigilator at any point of time when the discussion is on for any kind of
approval or help.

10. Do not state facts or figures you are not sure of.
DO’s and DON’Ts

of

Interviews
DO’s
1. Close the door behind u

2. Walk forward confidently

3. Body straight, head up

4. Respond to offered handshakes firmly

5. Wait until you are invited to sit

6. Remain quiet but alert to the opening moves by the interviewer

7. Allow them to take the initiative

8. Be ready to respond appropriately

9. Sit comfortably, in an upright but relaxed posture.

10. Rest your hands on the arms of the chair or comfortably in your lap.

11. Look at your interviewer with an interested expression.

12. Keep your head raised when you listen.

13. Nod intelligently whenever the interviewer tells you something.

14. Be relaxed.

15. Pause & breathe deeply before speaking

16. Speak slightly slower than normal

17. Speak clearly, open your mouth

 18. Vary the tone to add interest

19. Maintain eye contact

20. Take your leave as smoothly and politely as possible

21. Do not add any afterthoughts

22. Try to resolve any outstanding issues

23. Shake the interviewer’s hand

24. Thank them for giving you their time

25. Follow-up letter with your key benefit

No-No's for the Interview

Here is a list of some of the No-No’s one should keep in mind while giving an interview:
1.  Your physical appearance speaks volume about you. Do not wear any form of clothing that is
casual. Do not accessorize yourself a lot. Always be neat and formal in the way you appear.
2.   If you are not aware of the job description of the position you would not be able to show them
why you are the best choice. Do not go unprepared about the company and the job.
3.  Humility is a virtue but do not be too modest about your accomplishments. If you fail to talk
yourself up, it can be harmful for you.
4.   If you over talk, you do not come across as a thoughtful person. So choose your words carefully
and be a patient listener too.
5.   Don’t talk about salary and remuneration too soon in the interview. Show your interest in the
company and the profile first.
6.  Don’t talk negative about your previous employer, colleagues, educational institution. Always
come across as a positive person.
7.   If you are given a chance to ask questions and if you fail, it is not impressive. So never fail to ask
relevant questions.
8.  Don’t let your nervousness bring down your enthusiasm during the interview. Be energetic and
enthusiastic.
9.  Do not forget to thank the interviewer once the process is over. Formal greetings should always
be exchanged while meeting and departing.
10. Don’t be so serious that you stop being natural. Have a pleasant smile when required, use humor
if it’s in you and be formal too. Be comfortable, confidence would follow.
11. Shuffle in, head down with hands in pockets
12. Carry a jumble of papers
13. Crash into the room pushing out your extended hand
14. Attempt to dominate an interview, especially in the opening stage
15. Confuse your replies or beat around the bush
16. Be too loud or too soft, too slow or too fast in your speech
17. Stare at a particular interviewer
18. Fidgeting, biting your nails.
19. Crossing arms or legs, clasping the chair
20. Leaning backwards, looking away from the interviewer
21. Gazing fixedly at some point in the room
22. Becoming distracted by the carpet or a picture
23. Pointing your body towards the door
24. Kicking your foot or tapping
25. Propping your head on the palm of your hand
DO’s and DON’Ts
 of
Professional
Grooming

DO’s
1. Suit: 
A two piece matched suit is always the best and safest choice.
2. But what if the job is in a non-suit-wearing work environment: 
Even if you would or could wear jeans on the job, or the work environment is outdoors
and very non-suit, wearing a suit to the interview shows you take the interview seriously
as a professional meeting. Dressing well is a compliment to the person(s) with whom you
meet. If you think the industry in which you're interviewing would frown on a suit, or the
interview will involve going to a work site where a suit would be inappropriate, look for
advice through professional organizations, your professors who have been employed in
that industry, and/or by asking the employer directly and politely. One alternative is to
 wear pressed pants (like khakis) and a dark jacket; less formal than a suit, but still
business-appropriate for both men and women.
3. Conservative colors / fabric: 
 Navy, dark gray (and black for women) — are safe.Other color trends may come
and go; avoid the extremes. 
 Solids or very subtle weave patterns or plaids (the kind that look solid across a
room) are safest. 
 Wool, wool blends, or other good quality natural and synthetic fibers, are
generally the best fabrics in all seasons. Avoid lower quality acetate / rayon
blends.
 Black for men was once considered severe or overly formal, and may still be
considered so in very conservative industries, although it is commonly worn by
many.
4. Cost / quality: 
You are not expected to be able to afford the same clothing as a corporate CEO. Do
invest in quality that will look appropriate during your first two or three years on the job.
One good quality suit is sufficient for a job search if that is all your budget allows. You
can vary your shirt/blouse and tie/accessories.
5. Ties: 
Tie styles come and go. Select good quality silk ties. 
Avoid fashion extremes, like character ties, in interviews. 
6. Shirts: 
Long-sleeved shirts, even in summer. Choose white or light blue solid, or conservative
stripes. A dark shirt might be acceptable in a non-conservative industry. Avoid being
trendy.
7. Trousers:
They should preferably be dark though one may wear beige with dark colored shirt.
8. Socks: 
Dark socks, mid-calf length so no skin is visible when you sit down.
9. Shoes: 
Leather, lace-up or slip-on business shoes, preferably black or cordovan. Invest in a good
 pair; even if you don't wear them daily on the job, you'll need them for other occasions
and you should expect to get lots of years out of good shoes. Should be in polished
condition
10. Smell: 
Perfume or cologne should be used sparingly or not at all. Remember that some people
have allergies/sensitivities; you'd hate for that to derail an interview. No odors in clothes.
Don't smell like smoke.
11. Watches:
Preferably wear leather strapped watches. If you wear a metal strapped watch, make sure
that it fits the wrist well.
12. Belt: 
Black or cordovan leather, to match your shoes.
13. Facial hair: 
If worn, should be well-groomed. Observe men in your industry if you are unsure what's
appropriate or are considering changing your look.
14. Jewelry: 
Wear a conservative watch. If you choose to wear other jewelry, be conservative.
Removing earrings is safest. For conservative industries, don't wear earrings. Observe
other men in your industry to see what is acceptable
15. Hands: 
Clean fingernails.
16. Fit: 
Clothes should be clean, neatly pressed, and fit properly.

Details: 

Everything should be clean and well pressed. Suits typically have tacking stitches to hold vents
— on the jacket back and on sleeves — in place before the garment is purchased. Cut them off if
your retailer / tailor doesn't. And that tag stitched on the outside of your sleeve is not meant to
stay there like a Tommy Hilfiger label — cut it off! Carefully inspect clothes dangling threads,
etc.
DON’Ts
1. Do not wear thick stripes and check shirts

2. Do not wear loud color shirts

3. Do not wear loud color ties

4. Avoid ties with images and logos.

5. No loosen knot of the tie. The knot of tie should be a perfect triangle

6. Do not wear short socks, wear long socks as not to expose your skin when you sit down.

7. As a thumb of rule, do not wear white socks

8. Wear clean socks to avoid bad odour.

9. Avoid wearing watch that doesn’t fit your wrist i.e. do not wear loose watches.

10. Do not wear casual shoes.

11. Do not wear unpolished shoes.

12. Avoid fancy buckles of belts.

13. No missing buttons.

14. Don't forget to remove external tags and tacking stitches from new clothes.

15. If you have no reason to carry a briefcase, don't carry; you risk looking silly.

16. Don't combine a suit jacket with pants that don't match.

17. Book Bags-Leave it at home for an on-site interview. For an on-campus interview, you can
leave it in the waiting area.

18. Avoid dirty fingernails.