Group dynamics is a verbal discussion test where they try to put candidates in situations, simulated or real, and that are related to the position.
These tests have no solution, what recruiters are looking for is to evaluate the applicants’ argumentation capacity, their social skills, attitudes, teamwork. That is, it allows candidates to know their ability to react and spontaneity in the face of unprepared tests.
How do you perform a group dynamic?
Groups of 6-8 people are cited, around a discussion table. In a limited time between 45-60 min, we must discuss and make a series of decisions together as if it were a real work team.
It is not necessary to make decisions by vote, but try to argue, convince and reach a point of agreement among all to finally propose the final decision to the evaluators as if they were the steering committee.
Several recruiters will be watching throughout the group dynamics. They will evaluate all kinds of behaviors, verbal, nonverbal communication, interaction, knowledge, skills, attitudes, competencies … And before all this exhaustive assessment to which we are exposed, we must be as calm as possible, show ourselves as we are and give our best. of ourselves to pass phase.
Types and examples of group dynamics
Depending on the position we face and the kind of company, there will be one or the other. Among the best known types are:
Group interaction
They try to discuss a specific current issue. They can give you the role that you have to defend, or simply, expose and argue your own ideas.
Example: “The use of social networks within the working day.”
The recruiter exposes the topic and leave a few minutes to prepare the arguments. Then, the debate begins. Who takes the word first, who makes the final synthesis … depends on the aspirants.
In this type of group dynamics, 3 skills are mainly evaluated: Capacity for argumentation, synthesis and persuasion.
At the end of time, recruiters should propose a conclusion that has been reached by consensus.
Role play
Through a previously written script, each candidate is asked to assume a role that they should play in group dynamics.
Role play real : When candidates assume a role that can be given in the company at a given time. It is usually used for management positions or internal promotions.
Example 1: “The construction of a shopping center in an area of protected forest, near a small town where there is hardly any commerce and its inhabitants must travel tens of kilometers every time they want to shop.”
Different roles are assigned: environmentalist, real estate developer, consumer, councilor … Each participant must defend the position of his character even if he does not agree with it.
Example 2: “The HR department meets to discuss what personnel selection tool will be used in the company this year.”
Each of the candidates will defend one of them: ETT, internet, self-nominations, ECYL, “Enchufes” and external HR consultant.
Role play fictional: When candidates assume a role in a surreal situation, but that serves to assess the ability to react, creativity, spontaneity, persuasion …
Example 1: “The world is over. We are all in a hot air balloon and because of weight problems, if we want to survive, one of the members must jump and die. We must agree among all, who should jump. ”
Each of the aspirants has a different role: A dancer, a nurse, a teacher, a priest, a jihadist, a pink press journalist and a politician.
*Eye! because in this type of dynamics sex matters. For example, a widely used argument is that one of the women is pregnant and if you want to perpetuate the species, this is a compelling argument to save yourself. Or if he is the only man in the group, he will be the only one who can have children.
All these types of questions, even if they are very eccentric, if used well, say a lot about the skills of the candidates.
Example 2: “You are on a desert island, you are the only survivors in the world and they give you a list of items to take with you but you should only choose 10. Which ones do you carry?”
Note: It is not valid for everyone to say an object. We must discuss and reach an agreement among all.
Object List:
-1 matchbox
– 20m of rope
– 1 portable stove
– 1 can of powdered milk
– 1 magnetic compass
– Signal cartridges
– 1 FM receiver and transmitter
– 1 pneumatic boat with CO2 bottles
– 1 can of concentrated food
– 30m parachute silk
– 2 guns
– 20 liters of water
– 1 first aid case
– 1 map
Management games
The group is requested to work together to solve a problem. Here everyone uses their own arguments, ideas and proposals.
Example 1: “An investor wants to invest 1M euros in an innovative project. Each applicant must propose a startup idea and among the entire team, choose one and propose a brief business plan to determine how it will be carried out. ”
Example 2: “The work team is demotivated. The HR department must meet to propose measures to motivate staff and improve the work environment. Each applicant must propose their ideas and in the end, two of them must be presented to the committee. ”
Sometimes, they can give you some preconceived ideas and you have to choose between them.
Example 3: “The management committee of a hotel in Ibiza has approved a new investment for this year. What are we going to invest in? There are 3 options and among all the members one must decide and specify the investment lines. ” Options:
1-Invest in a new hotel in the Caribbean.
2-Reform and improve existing facilities.
3-Improve and expand the hotel restaurant and open it to the external public (people who are not customers of the hotel can enter)
In basket
It consists of simulating a real situation similar to the routine tasks of the position to which you are going to opt and request that they try to solve it.
Example 1, aimed at executive accounts and finance positions: “They present the balance sheet and profit and loss accounts for this year. They request to redirect the financial plan What do you propose? Why?”
They seek to evaluate that you know how to interpret financial data, make firm decisions and propose new ideas and business for the company.
Example 2, oriented to commercial positions: “Sale of absurd things. Example: a urinal with pedals, a backpack without handles or a comb without spikes ”.
They evaluate that you know how to argue and sell the best of the product, no matter if you invent qualities that do not have what matters is your ability to believe and sell.
