Generalist

A generalist is a software tester that has aquired at least good or intermediary knowledge of several software testing areas. Sometimes described as Comb or Tree shaped testers they can do initial testing in multiple areas of testing. While that testing might not be as deep as a specialist, it can identify more potential issues or risks quickly and allow specialists to focus on the nuances particular to their discipline.

Generalist in software testing is a tester whose skills, interests, or habits are varied or unspecialized 

A person who knows a bit about everything in testing.

A generalist is someone who is passionate about their profession and working with people within it. They have sought understanding multiple areas of that profession without seeking to specialise in any of them, so can help specialists with how to approach situations that can impact others.

In software testing, generalist is someone who has wide range of knowledge in testing domain instead of having expertise in any particular testing domain.

In the context of software testing, I’d say a generalist is someone who can do a lit bit of everything, but not to a deep extent. They have basic to good skills in many areas, but no particular area in which they’re highly skilled / experienced.

Remit: Someone who is proficient across various testing methodologies, such as exploratory testing, performance testing, security testing, and automation. This versatility allows them to tackle a wide range of challenges and adapt to different situations. Not just having read about different types of testing - but has active experience doing them.

Hiring skills: broad technical knowledge, adaptability, problem-solving, communication, critical thinking, basic project management, attention to detail, continuous learning, collaboration, flexibility.

Pros: Being proficient in diverse methodologies equips you to tackle any challenge that comes your way. The need to stay updated across multiple fields encourages continuous learning and professional growth, keeping generalists engaged and knowledgeable about the latest trends and technologies. This can signal roots in leadership potential.

Value: Generalists are particularly valuable early on because they can speak to and work on different types of testing, which is great for setting out a holistic strategy for testing. IMO, many of the better senior testers tend to be generalists as this allows them to help in many different areas. It’s about knowing when to go deep, when to go wide and when to have the sweet spot.

Cons: Some can have a lack of deep expertise - this can be a disadvantage when tackling complex, niche problems that require in-depth understanding. However this is not always the case. Should be measured via the individual.  Difficulty in staying updated or potential for overwhelm. You may hear or see the term "jack of all trades, master of none".