Even the most outspoken and extroverted person with high energy gets nervous when they are called for GDPI so it's pretty obvious that introverts will find themselves in a tough spot. Introverts think they don’t have the energy level or good communication skills to crack the Group Discussion and Personal Interview rounds. And let’s be honest, communication skills and confidence are what a candidate needs to get into their dream MBA institute.
But hey introverts, don’t worry! All the introverts out there have special and unique skills of thoughtfulness, active listening, and structured communication, which will help you ace your MBA interview without being outspoken.
What is the purpose of GDPI and What B-Schools are Looking For?
Although the CAT exam primarily tests your math, language skills, and logic, GDPI evaluates your communication skills; it tests how well you can express your ideas, thoughts, and arguments.
In short, GDPI complements the CAT exam to ensure the candidates are not only academically capable but also well-rounded people who can handle real-world situations.
These questions have always been there in the minds of introverts and it’s pretty obvious to have such questions when you want to skip the most difficult part of the entrance exam, of course for many, it is the test part, but before you begin with GDPI preparation, understand its purpose and what your dream institutions are looking for.
B-schools evaluate the MBA interview based on certain skills and abilities of the candidate that they consider best for a brighter career.
Communication Skills
Conversations are different from communication. Anyone can converse with everyone but communicating is big. B-schools look at how well a candidate can process their thought and put it into words. They want to see the clarity and articulation of the sentence.
Leadership Potential
GDPI helps in giving an insight into how well a candidate can discuss and be relevant to the topic so that they can become a good leader one day.
Teamwork and Collaboration
In teamwork, people work together. They have to communicate, collaborate, and understand others’ perspectives as well.
Problem-Solving Ability
Personal interviews especially focus on the analytical thinking of a person.
Confidence and Presence
GDPIs help in understanding how well a person can handle any situation under pressure and how confident they are.
Any introvert can have these skills and people must get rid of the misconception that only outspoken candidates succeed in GDPI.Strategies for Acing in Group Discussions (GD)
How to prepare for MBA interviews as an introvert is the biggest question for every introvert, but there is nothing to be worried about because once you understand what’s GD, you can figure out how to succeed in it.
Group discussion is the test to see how a candidate can express themselves and their thoughts in such a way that they communicate clearly and keep the conversation engaging and constructive. So to achieve this level of GDPI, here are group discussion strategies for MBA aspirants:
Play to Your Strengths
Introverts aren’t the loudest ones in the room but they are definitely well spoken, so focus on:
Introverts tend to speak after thinking a lot so use it as your strength and think before you add anything to the discussion.
It's important to structure your sentences instead of vague statements. So think and make a pattern or structure in your head with clear reasoning and point-by-point, and start speaking.
Enter the Discussion Early
Introverts are hesitant to speak but don’t be. Start speaking in the discussion as soon as possible. It is so because as time goes on, the discussion might become faster and harder to contribute to so start with a simple statement like, “This is an interesting topic. I believe we can approach it from different angles, such as XYZ.” In this way, you show presence and don’t have to stress up to jump in between a debate. Be the Moderator
Yep, it might sound weird but believe this business school appreciates people who try to bring order to a discussion in the simplest and calmest way. If the discussion is getting chaotic, go with something like “We have discussed A and B. Maybe we can now look at C.” This way you can bring order to the discussion and add yet another valuable insight.
Use Non-Verbal Communication
Some introverts can’t even maintain good eye contact but in group discussions, you have to do it with confidence and nod when someone is speaking. You can also use hand gestures subtly, as all these little actions show that you are engaged in the discussion even though you aren’t saying much.
Quality Over Quantity
If you have decided to speak less, make sure you don’t speak rubbish. You should plan your facts in points with examples so that everyone knows that you might be quiet but you are well-versed in facts.
Don’t Fear Interruptions
During group discussions, interruptions are common, which means if you have to, then you will interrupt politely and add your statement.Strategies for Acing Personal Interviews (PI)Personal interviews aren’t a huge deal like group discussions for many introverts because they prefer one-on-one conversations better and that’s why they even perform better.
Prepare for Common Questions
In a business school interview, you can find yourself surrounded by some basic yet most-asked questions about an MBA and your strengths. Some questions are just there and because you have an idea of such common questions, you can prepare yourself for them beforehand.
Leverage Your Listening Skills
Introverts are known for their excellent listening skills and listening is a valuable trait for any interview. Listening shows that you are engaged in the conversation and you can take points and ask relevant follow-up questions.
Maintain a Calm and Confident Demeanor
Walk, sit, talk confidently, and maintain good, steady eye contact. Don’t rush into answering questions; instead, take a moment and articulate your answer, then speak with confidence and clarity.
Have Thoughtful Questions Ready
In many business school interviews, at the end, interviewers often ask the candidate if they have any questions. So be prepared with questions that will help you gain more knowledge about the MBA or the institute and show your interest in their answer. Ask questions like:- What leadership qualities does the institute value the most?
- How does the program help students with career transitions?
- What are some unique aspects of the MBA experience here?
Dress Up WellIt is very important to form a good image when you walk into the room. So dress up well and according to the formal dress code. If you dress casually or shabbily, it creates an unprofessional image, which you don’t want when you are interviewing for an MBA. Mock Practice and Feedback
Join a GDPI Coaching
There are many coachings out there where you can prepare for your GDPI rounds and the mentors will help you gain confidence.
Stimulate high-pressure Scenarios
During your mock GDPI sessions, make sure you get into high-pressure scenarios because many times introverts get anxious in such situations, leading to a negative impact in the GDPI round.
Get Feedback and Improve
Your mentors will give feedback on the clarity of the statement, your body language, and your engagement. Don’t let this feedback down; instead, work on yourself harder, work on your weaknesses, and strengthen your natural advantages.
People have the misconception that introverts cannot ace GDPI but it's not the truth. Introverts have their own strengths and by using them, they can also crack MBA interviews, leading to a better future.
