Why Asking for Help Totally Isn’t the End of the World

So many of us are afraid to ask for help. In an age where being independent and self-assured are vaunted traits, reaching out or admitting you don’t know something can seem really daunting. Despite this, it is important to reach out when you need it – especially when it comes to your career. There are a number of instances where asking for help can actually help you get ahead. I’ve outlined a few examples below to help you out!

Help finding a job

Finding a job can be really hard, even at the best of times. There are just so many places to look, and heaps of organisations don’t even advertise publicly, only listing their opportunities internally (hello, Hidden Jobs Market!). So basically, if you don’t start asking around then landing that dream gig is going to be difficult.

The Muse has published an interesting article on exactly this topic, pointing out that ‘you don’t know everyone on the face of the planet’, and ‘you’re (probably) not bothering people as much as you think you are’. If you’re hoping to work in advertising, but don’t have the connections you need to determine whether there are any opportunities available, then it’s going to be really difficult unless you ask for help! When you’re looking for a job, lean on your network, reach out to your peers, and ask you co-workers whether they know anyone who could help. You’d be surprised how far your network can reach when you start asking for help.

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Help dealing with stress at work

Everyone goes through rough patches at work every now and then. Whether it’s a co-worker you find difficult to work with, or a workload that makes you feel like there simply aren’t enough hours in the day, it’s easy to get overwhelmed.

Rather than tackling all of these setbacks by yourself, have a chat with your manager or a fellow co-worker! We’ve all been there, so the likelihood of them understanding is pretty high. If you’re getting stressed out, you’re not going to be doing your best work, so reach out and see if anyone can help put a few systems in place to help you get through the rough patches.

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Help learning something new

Professional development is something you should always be aiming for, so picking up new skills is a great idea. If you’ve been asked to take on a task you’ve never done before, or you’re trying to develop your skills, don’t hesitate to ask for help. Your knowing more is not only beneficial to you, but your employer as well!

Approaching someone to ask for their help in learning something new may feel a bit uncomfortable, but if you approach it the right way it totally doesn’t need to be! Explain to whoever you’re asking that you really admire their skill, and ask if they’d have a few minutes to give you some pointers. Flattery can’t hurt!

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So if you’re worried about expanding your skillset, or asking for help in entering the workforce – don’t be! Most people will be happy to help, and by reaching out you may even be able to strengthen a few relationships along the way.

Featured image courtesy of Pexels.