Master the art of asking for help with your career goals
Q: I have a long work history with several promotions, and each time I have gained more experience and skills. However, I am not good at asking for help. I have been thinking about changing my career field, but have held back because I am unsure how to start. Any suggestions would be helpful.
A: Most people are uncomfortable asking for help with a similar situation you described. One of the reasons could be a sense of independence and asking for help could appear somehow weak or needy. A good resource regarding your question that often blocks people from achieving their career dreams comes to mind.
Dr. Wayne Baker, a professor at the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business, authored a recent book on the topic of seeking help in All You Have to Do Is Ask . He describes success in the workplace as associated with individual performance and rewards. This type of thinking often sends a message that you must be self-reliant in your career, and that people often worry that asking for help makes you incompetent.
Having a long work history could also indicate that you know people in your industry, especially being promoted to different levels. Planning to change career fields will help you make good decisions and lessen the stress of getting started. Baker shares a proven strategy to help you gather the information you need.
As you probably know, it isn’t easy to take steps in a new direction without having a clear goal in sight. It helps to start with the end in mind. For example, you first need to have a good understanding of what you are trying to accomplish.
Take the time to write down your career goals. Identifying your goals will provide a structure with meaning that gives you a sense of control when reaching out to other people. Once you develop a clear goal, it helps to have a frame for asking for help.
Baker mentions a good technique centered around the SMART criteria when talking with people. SMART is the acronym for specific, meaningful, action-oriented, real, and timebound. Using the SMART strategy will support your efforts in generating the information you need to accomplish your career goal.
When you ask for specific information, it will trigger people’s memories of what they know and whom they know; back up your request with a reason why your goal is meaningful to you. People often want to help you, but they cannot read your mind, so tell them. Being specific about when you need the information, such as the time frame, motivates them to respond.
Practice using the SMART technique on friends and those you know. Getting their feedback will be helpful, and it will boost your confidence in knowing what to ask for when reaching out to new people.
When you ask for specific information, it will trigger people’s memories of what they know and whom they know; back up your request with a reason why your goal is meaningful to you.
Kimberly Thompson, M.Ed. is a board-certified counselor and career coach. Send questions to kim@careerrescue.com or visit her blog at chron.com /jobs.