Asking for help is a sign of maturity, strength, and confidence. That's why employers say the ability to ask for support is a trait they look for in their employees.
Who can you ask for help?
People you respect, trust, and admire. People who:
- Are good listeners
- Have your best interests at heart
- Have the experience and insight to offer you good advice when you ask for it
No one person can offer you all the support, information, and insight you need. That’s why you’ll draft a team of potential helpers or select your Board of Directors. You’ll find supporters at work, at school, in your family, and at the activities you’re involved in.
Before you approach someone for help:
- Watch them in action.
- Ask mutual acquaintances about them.
- Strike up casual conversations with them to get a feel for who they are.
The first time you ask someone for help will probably be the hardest. Here are a couple of scripts to use as a starting point:
- "I need to do well in this course to be accepted to a program I’m interested in. Trouble is, I don’t understand how to ______ and I’m going to need to know that for the final exam. Would you please explain to me how to ______?"
- "I’m really interested in ______ (a skill this person has). One of my goals is to learn as much as I can about ______ (the skill) to see if it would be a possible occupation for me. Would you consider letting me assist you/work with you/watch you work? I would be able to commit ___ hours a week to this."
Need a professional?
Friends, family, and colleagues can be great sources of support. But sometimes you need help from a professional career advisor. Free help is available through Alberta Supports, and through local, government-funded service providers across Alberta. Some services, such as these career and employment workshops, are delivered online and offered province-wide. Explore these directories to find services near you: