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An office can be a cold and lonely place to be when you don’t have a friend, and there’s nothing worse than trying to figure out the pecking order during the first few weeks of a new job.

Fortunately, Mashable’s got your guide to going beyond the cubicle with the seven types of office folk you should befriend ASAP to make your life a little bit easier from nine to five.

1. The Human Snack Machine

You know the feeling: It’s 3 p.m., and you’re starting to get the “maybe that rice cakewasn’t enough for lunch” shakes (or the “a client just yelled at me for 20 minutes straight” need for stress-relieving indulgence), and you’re a quarter short for anything in the snack machine.

This is precisely when it pays to know that guy in the marketing department who keeps a drawer full of candy—and is willing to share in exchange for a few minutes of office chit-chat. (Just make sure to occasionally offer treats in return or contribute to the snack fund!)

2. The Socialite

If you’re not actively filling the role of Happy Hour Coordinator Extraordinaire, you should befriend whoever is—and quick. At least, you should if you want to be in the loop about co-worker get-togethers, informal company sports leagues, and summer BBQs.

Besides the obvious fact that this will help you make new pals, you’ll also get to know people in other departments—so when you need help with marketing an upcoming event or hiring a new employee, you’ll know exactly who to ask.

Full story at Mashable.

Business: It’s about building relationships.

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