5 Tips for Asking For Help At Work

Knowing when to ask for help is an invaluable skill. You may have some troubles with some tasks at work, but the problem is you don’t know where to go or whom to ask. You might assume that your current boss or colleagues would be an excellent place to start, but asking for help can sometimes backfire and make them less willing to help in the future. There are other ways of getting that assistance without risking any blowback.

Clearly define the problems.

Before asking for help, you must understand the problem you want to solve. Figuring out the problem is crucial because it will shape the course of action and, more importantly, establish trust. If you’ve been asking for help and it hasn’t been forthcoming many times, this can be a sign that you’re not completely clear on what type of help you need.

Consider your timing

You may be in a position where you want to ask for help, but the timing is off. This can happen if the problem gets worse or the person you’re asking will not be available or willing to give you help at that moment. Resisting the urge to ask on this occasion might be difficult. Still, it’s essential to remember that there are many reasons someone might not have time to help with something, and there are always other times when they could help.

Carefully choose who you ask.

When asking for help, make sure that you choose the right person. It might seem natural to go to the person you report directly to, but this is not the most effective choice in many cases. For example, if your boss has told you that you need to learn a new skill or program, it might be a good idea to look around the company for someone who is an expert with this tool and ask them for help.

Be specific in your request.

When asking people for help, it’s essential to be specific. If you can describe the problem in enough detail, it will save them time and make your request much more effective. There may be some common elements between your problems and these other people. However, they still have different responsibilities, so being specific will help them remember what you ask.

Be Professional

When asking for help, it is vital to be professional. It is easy to get frustrated or flustered, but taking a moment to calm down and put your thoughts in order can make a big difference. Even if the help you are asking for does not go your way, you want to leave them with as good an impression of you as possible, so don’t give them any reason to believe that you are difficult or even unprofessional.

Knowing when to ask for help is a crucial skill, and there are many situations where you might be able to turn to your coworkers for some assistance. However, it can also be essential to have a specific problem in mind before asking so that you can have everyone put on the same page. When asking for help, it’s important to remember that being professional is vital and that being specific about what you need will leave them with a good impression of you. CPEhr and ModernHR is a great idea to learn tips for asking for help at work. For more information on how to ask for help in work set up, contact us today.