The previous article set the scene for asking for help, some of the concerns and mental blockers that can prevent you from moving forward in your new role. When you take on a new professional challenge, there is a sense of pressure to succeed, which comes not only from your own pride and aspirations but also from the expectation of those around you. Many of us feel that asking for help is a sign of failure, or that it exposes our shortcomings.
So, is there a right way to ask for help without looking desperate or like a failure?
The answer is a definitive yes. Being proactive and asking for help when you are struggling is not a sign of weakness, but a sign of a mature and responsible professional.
Knowing what you don’t know and admitting it, can be as powerful as knowing what you do know. It may also save you time and energy in the long run if you ask for help early on. One of the first and easiest steps to take, is to speak to those around you. If possible, find another newbie buddy so you can compare notes and support each other. Perhaps there is someone from your induction process who you could meet for lunch or someone in your team who is relatively new and likely to remember their own early days.
You could also speak to your HR department who are responsible for employee wellbeing. If there is a particular issue, such as a need for specific training, they may be able to resolve this – and confidentially, so that there is no risk to your career or reputation. HR departments are experienced in guiding new people through the recruitment and induction process and will be able to answer many of your queries and concerns – remember, there is little that they haven’t seen before.
Make the most of your networks, either personal or professional, to reach out and share your experiences. Perhaps an old boss or colleague could offer some great advice or reassure you that what you are feeling is totally normal and that it will get better.
Equally importantly, communicate with your line manager. They are responsible for your wellbeing and have a duty of care towards you. Aside from them being an ethical and principled person who wants to help people in need (hopefully), it is in their professional interests that you succeed: they hired you, so your success, or potential lack of it, reflects on them personally.
If there are issues with the recruitment or onboarding process, they need to know about it so that they can address any problems for you and make the process smoother for the next person. Keeping quiet does not help anyone and could be damaging for their career as well as your own.
To summarise, remember it is completely normal to have feelings of doubt and worry when it comes to asking for help in a new job, but you must also remember that everyone has been in the same position at some point and it will only benefit you as well as those around you, to get up to speed and learn quickly.
