Specialized vs General First job

One important point to think about for your first job is whether you want a specialized or general scope.

There are pros and cons for each role. In a specialized role, you gain more depth, you gain skills in that specific expertise and are valued for that.

In a general role, you get to see more, you gain more breadth. You are in a good position to see and capture the good parts across the whole field.

In healthy economic conditions, both type of skills are sought after. In difficult economic conditions, would your company value a subject-matter expert, or a somewhat-know-it-all ?

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4 Tips to integrate into the company

You are the new kid in the block. Your new co-workers are looking at you like you're an animal in the zoo, but none are coming over to say hi. Here are some tips on how to integrate into your company.

1. Join interest groups

The easiest way is to join a group where there is a common interest - like soccer, basketball , ice hockey etc. Team games make good interaction.

2. Smile and say hi

The long corridor and a person incoming . Resist the temptation to look down and walk by. Always smile and say hi when walking past your co-worker. It might be a starter to a conversation.

3. Ask to join lunch

Ask the colleague next to you whether he/she got any lunch plans. Smile, and ask to join if he's going out with the group. Lunch with the group is a great chance for interaction.

4. Identify the lingo

Your co-workers might have some internal lingo as a result of years in the company. Understand the meaning and use appropriately.

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What to look for in your first job

Here's a simple mantra to remember when hunting your first  job:

Advancement - look for companies that not only cares about your development but provide opportunities to bring about job progression and development

Boss - the benefits of having a great boss is enormous. Good bosses protects and nominates you. They also  give  you some autonomy to pursue other projects.

Culture - the icing to top it off is a great place with great people, whom you could learn from.

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