The Basics: How to Ask For Help
Maximize the impact of your request for help and other career support.
Photo by REGINE THOLEN on Unsplash
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"I need your help. I've currently got openings for clients so repost, comment, share my URL (https://gettingthenod.com), or tag someone that's looking to get un-stuck in their job search or career change. I'm leaning on decades of People/Culture/HR experience to help people take the next step in their career. Thanks in advance!"
The above message is applicable to me (thanks!), but I also want to use it as an example for how to to ask for help on your social network of choice, LinkedIn especially. Layoffs aren't making the headlines they did earlier in the year but they're still happening and hiring hasn't completely rebounded, and the extended search time is leaving some job seekers at their wit's end or at the end of their unemployment benefits. It's heartening to see how many calls for support end up with hundreds or thousands of reactions or comments, but for every one of those explosions of engagement there are another dozen with the same level of need but a fraction of the response. Here are some ideas for how to get more from your requests for aid.
1) Accept that it's OK to ask for help.
Sometimes the hardest thing to do is to ask for help in the first place. It's not a statement on you, your work ethic, or your character. Sometimes we all need a helping hand. I’ve needed plenty.
2) Be concise.
Have you ever looked up a recipe and rather than starting with the actual recipe you have to wade through the history of the dish, the origins of every ingredient, and a slew of ads? For me, I'll often abort mission and find a different recipe that gets to the point. Don't let that apply to your own request. It's fine to give context, but don't go on so long that people move on before even getting to your request.
3) Clarify what you need/want.
"I need a job," isn't enough. What kind of job do you want? Why do you want that kind of job? For what kind of organization? Any particular constraints - remote-only, only in the city where you are, etc.? If you need help narrowing those sorts of things down, say that too. The more clear your ask, the easier it is for people to know if they can help you and how. Want introductions? Say so. Need someone to look at your resume? Same. Don't make the reader guess.
4) Make it easy. Put the information your potential helper needs right there in the message. If you say, "I was laid off and I'm looking for new software developer positions if you know of any," the folks that know you closest may know the details of what you do, but don't make someone have to do the work of needing to go to your profile or download your resume. You’re asking for help, not giving homework. "I'm a mid-level generalist developer with 5 years of experience primarily using React and other JS frameworks and some Swift and Kotlin mobile experience, primarily in client services and I'm looking to work for a early stage product company," is a mouthful if you say it out loud but it gives the reader everything they need to both have the spark to do something and then the information to act on that spark right away.
5) Be ready. If you're going to ask people to help you, have your materials ready. They don't need to be perfect (they never are), but make sure your resume is up to date, your portfolio/Github is updated, and your LinkedIn has enough for someone to get an idea of who you are. It's fine if you keep updating those things but don't make anyone wait if they're ready to introduce you to someone or refer you for a position. If that means you need to wait until you get an hour to get those things prepped, do that. It’s worth it.
6) Pay it forward. You may need help this time but someone else might need that help later. Be the person later that you need now.
Hope that helps! If you need help with this or other aspects of your job search or career progression, feel free to reach out - gettingthenod.com.