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Life Lessons in English

🙋‍♀️ "Which Department Do You Want to Work In?"

by 말의 힘, 삶의 길 그리고 소통 2025. 5. 9.

A Simple Question That Shapes Your Future

Have you ever been asked this during a job interview or orientation?

“Which department would you like to work in?”
“What kind of tasks do you hope to take on?”

At first, these might sound like small talk or routine questions.
But in truth, they’re not just about your preference—they’re an invitation to explore what’s possible between you and the company. 💫


🏢 So, Who Actually Decides Where You’ll Work?

When you join a company, you’ll usually be assigned to a specific department—like “Sales Team 1” at headquarters or the “HR Team” at the Busan branch. This assignment is commonly referred to as a “placement.”

While new employees are sometimes invited to share their preferred departments, final decisions are based on a mix of factors:

🔹 The company’s internal HR strategy
🔹 The current needs of each team
🔹 Your skills, experience, and potential

👉 In other words, your preference matters—but it’s not the only consideration.


🤔 “What If I Don’t Get the Department I Want?”

This is one of the most common concerns for new hires.
But instead of asking why not this team, try asking yourself:

💡 “What can I learn here, right now?”
💡 “Where could this unexpected experience lead me?”

Many professionals will tell you:
Some of their most transformative growth came from departments they didn’t choose.


🔄 Welcome to Job Rotation: A New Way to Grow

Today, it’s becoming increasingly common for companies to adopt Job Rotation—reassigning employees every 2 to 5 years to different teams.

Yes, specializing in one field can build deep expertise.
But experiencing multiple departments helps you understand how the whole organization works—and makes you more adaptable and valuable in the long run.


🚀 Your Career Starts Exactly Where You Are

Companies think long-term when placing talent.
So no matter which department you start in, what really counts is how you work there.

Before saying,

“This isn’t what I signed up for...”
Try asking,
“How can this role help me grow?”

🎯 The mindset you bring into your first department will influence your future path, from promotions to transfers.


💼 Early Effort Builds Career Capital

Let’s be real—your first 1–2 years on the job matter.
How you show up, perform, and contribute will shape how others see your potential.

This is the time to build your "trust capital."
Invest in it early—and it will open doors down the road.


🧭 You Can’t Always Choose Where You Start

But You Can Choose How You Show Up

It’s okay to feel uncertain at first.
Just remember: running to HR with complaints won’t change much.

What does make a difference?

✅ Showing flexibility
✅ Embracing challenges
✅ Growing, even when it’s not what you expected

🌱 Companies reward people who adapt and evolve—not just those who “get what they want.”


✅ Reflective Questions for Today

✨ What is the most valuable thing I can learn from my current role?
✨ Even if this isn’t what I wanted—can I still build my strengths here?
✨ Why might the company have placed me here? (Think: potential, aptitude, broader perspective)


🎯 Your department is just a title.

How you grow within it—that’s what defines your career.

Even if your starting point doesn’t match your dream,
the way you respond can set you on a path beyond what you imagined.

🌟 Grow where you’re planted—and you'll bloom in ways no title can define.