Asking for career advice is generally a good thing to do. It can make you look smarter; it helps you earn your boss' support; it prevents you from making the same dumb mistakes everyone in your industry makes.
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Asking to 'pick someone's brain' won't get you anywhere — here's what to say instead
Science of People's Vanessa Van Edwards says it's important to be as specific as possible about why you're asking the expert for their insight.
Show that you're not wasting their time.
That said, it's pretty easy to botch the ask.
In a video on her Science of People blog, behavioral investigator Vanessa Van Edwards breaks down exactly how to solicit advice from someone knowledgeable and experienced. Here are her top tips:
- Be specific to them
- Ask something specific
- Be specifically grateful
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Bottom line: Even though the expert is giving you advice, the relationship can still be mutually beneficial.
You get the help you need in your career; the expert feels flattered and useful. If the only thing you're giving the expert is a free coffee, you're doing something wrong.
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