We appreciate that it can be daunting to ask for advice.
However, that doesn’t mean you’re not allowed to do it.
You shouldn’t feel ashamed to ask for help, but you should know how to ask for advice politely.
Luckily, this article has gathered the best synonyms.
Here are 8 examples of how to politely ask for guidance in an email:
- Please can I have some advice?
- I would love to hear your thought
- Could you please provide some insight?
- I’m keen to hear your ideas
- I’d like some advice
- Do you have a moment to give me some advice?
- I could really use your help right now
- I would appreciate your help if that’s okay
1. Please Can I Have Some Advice?
One of the best ways to ask for advice is to be direct and polite. The more direct you are, the easier it’ll be for the recipient to understand what you want from them.
For instance, it’s worth using please can I have some advice. Honestly, it doesn’t get more direct than that.
Firstly, you can say please. Now, please is already one of the more polite and respectful phrases to include in an email.
So, including it at the start of a professional phrase shows you need help or advice.
Secondly, you can write can I have to phrase it as a question. That shows the recipient you have to ask them something and would love to hear their verdict.
Thirdly, some advice is a clear way to let the recipient know you expect advice or assistance.
Don’t beat around the bush! Come out with it and say please. You can’t go wrong, then!
Here’s an example showing you how to use please can I have some advice in a sentence:
Dear Mr. Martins,
Please can I have some advice regarding this project? I’d like to get it right for you, but I’m worried it’s incorrect.
All the best,
Holly Smart
2. I Would Like to Hear Your Thoughts
Knowing how to ask for advice in an email is a tricky one at first. However, once you know the best phrases going, it gets a lot easier.
For instance, you can write I would like to hear your thoughts. It doesn’t get much more polite and direct than a phrase like this.
We recommend using it to ask your boss for advice. It’s a great choice to ask for advice professionally, as it shows you’re keen to get someone else’s input or advice when necessary.
You can also review this email sample to see more about how it works:
Dear Mrs. Smith,
I would like to hear your thoughts on this. Please let me know if there’s anything I should change to make it better.
Yours,
William Jenkins
3. Could You Please Provide Some Insight?
Feel free to use could you please provide some insight in certain situations, too. It’s great professionally and shows you’re keen to learn from someone.
Generally, this works best after an interview. If you’re unsuccessful, you can use this phrase to find out where you went wrong and what you should improve for your next interview.
It’s great to ask for advice for an interview. Even if you were unsuccessful, recruiters would usually be happy to share your mistakes.
Take it seriously, and you won’t repeat the same mistake again. And it helps that the phrase is polite and genuine, as it shows you’re willing to listen and learn.
If you’re still unsure, check out the following sample email:
Dear Mr. Harrington,
Could you please provide some insight? I’m not sure where I went wrong, and I’d love to hear from you.
Kind regards,
Stuart Heritage
4. I’m Keen to Hear Your Ideas
It’s good to use I’m keen to hear your ideas to ask for advice from a mentor. It shows you’re happy to hear their input, which can usually help you decide what your next steps are.
After all, mentors are there to help you. So, if you’re willing to hear their ideas, it shows you’re keen for them to provide you with some insight that might help you figure something out.
We recommend using it to let a mentor know you’re ready to hear more. It’s polite and friendly, showing you’re open to suggestions.
Also, as with any phrase asking for advice, I’m keen to hear your ideas is respectful and genuine.
So, here is an email example showing you how it works:
Dear Mrs. Bryant,
I’m keen to hear your ideas regarding my project. Please let me know if there’s anything else I can do to make it better.
Yours,
Duncan Bradford
5. I’d Like Some Advice
Simplicity is sometimes the best policy. Keeping things simple helps you and the reader to understand each other without overcomplicating matters.
So, that’s where I’d like some advice comes in.
It’s simple yet respectful. It shows you’re willing to hear some advice and would like the recipient to provide it to you.
We recommend using it when contacting a coworker. It’s a simpler choice, but it suggests you’d like them to share some information with you to help you understand something.
Here is a sample email showing you how to make it work:
Dear Adam,
I’d like some advice if you’ve got the time. I need to know if I’m working on the project in the right way.
All the best,
Joseph Carling
6. Do You Have a Moment to Give Me Some Advice?
You can also politely ask for suggestions with do you have a moment to give me some advice.
It’s a great way to show that you’re open to ideas and want the recipient to provide you with some.
Generally, the phrase appears respectful and genuine. It shows you’ll be happy hearing whatever ideas someone might have to offer, especially if they improve something.
Here is a great email example showing you how to use it:
Dear Brian,
Do you have a moment to give me some advice? I’m keen to find out what you think about this situation.
Best regards,
Don Mortimer
7. I Could Really Use Your Help Right Now
You may also use I could really use your help right now in more friendly situations.
Try it on LinkedIn when writing a direct message to an employee. It allows you to ask for help, showing that you’re open to any ideas or suggestions they might have.
We highly recommend it if you’re willing to open yourself up to criticism. It’s respectful and decent, making you appear kind and friendly when reaching out for help.
Perhaps this email example will also help you:
Dear Katherine,
I could really use your help right now. I’d like to know if there’s anything you would change about this.
All the best,
Sara Ronald
8. I Would Appreciate Your Help if That’s Okay
Finally, you can use I would appreciate your help if that’s okay as a respectful and formal alternative.
It’s great to use when you want to ask for guidance from a professor. It shows you’ve considered your options and would like to hear what your professor might suggest.
That way, you can find out whether there’s something you need to improve with an assignment your professor set you.
They’ll appreciate your honesty and attention to detail when using a phrase like this. So, it’s a great chance to get into your professor’s good books.
You should review this example if you’re still unsure:
Dear Professor Mack,
I would appreciate your help if that’s okay. Please let me know when you’re free to discuss this further.
Regards,
Hazel Youth
