The placement group discussion, when ten people talk at once

The room is full of chairs set in a half circle. Ten people have the same topic and one panel is watching. Somebody starts, somebody talks over them, and you are holding your pen and waiting for a gap.

This note is for that room. You do not have to win it. You have to be heard once, clearly.

The look

Keep it neat and keep it yours. Choose one of these two.

• Modest: a plain kurta in a solid colour, with a simple jacket or a long open shrug over it, and straight trousers or a salwar in a darker shade.
• Modern: a formal shirt in white, pale blue or any colour you like, tucked in at the front, with straight trousers and a blazer if you have one or can borrow one from a friend or sister.

Shoes should be closed and comfortable, because you may stand around before you sit. Keep one small detail: a thin watch, or a pair of small studs. Nothing that jingles when you move your hands.

Hair goes back off your face. A neat low ponytail or a low bun works well. Press it once with your palm before you enter, then leave it alone. If you are not pushing hair behind your ear, you are free to listen.

The one confidence move

Sit up and face the group, not the panel. Speak to the people at the table. When someone else is talking, turn towards them and nod slowly, now and then. It tells the room you are listening, and it gives you a calm job to do while you wait.

You also do not need to speak the most. Two clear turns are enough: speak first, or speak last to sum up the discussion.

What to say first

If the gap comes early, open with a definition. It is easy, and it gives the whole table something to stand on.

"Can I start by defining what we mean by ...?"

Fill the blank with the main word of the topic. If the opening has gone by, wait, listen, and keep a note of two or three points people have made. Near the end, you can sum them up in a few sentences.

If it goes sideways

Someone talks over you. Do not raise your voice and do not stop. Wait for them to finish their sentence, look at the group and say:

"I'd like to add one point."

Then say the point. Keep it to two sentences. If your mind goes blank, look at your notepad, read your last note aloud, and carry on from there.

One thing to try today

Pick three sample topics, for example, work from home, online exams and a four-day week. For each, write one opening line that starts with the definition sentence above. Then stand at a mirror tonight, set a timer for one minute, and say each opening aloud once. Say the line, then stop. The stop is the part to practise.

Get the three lines written before you sleep, and keep the page in your bag for the morning.

Each Sunday: one moment coming up this week, the look for it and the one line to say first. Save the cards at /moments.