It’s useful to know how to ask for advice in an email. Of course, there are plenty of options, but wording them appropriately can be tricky.
Luckily, we’re here to help!
This article has gathered the best phrases to teach you how to ask for advice politely. You can also refer to each of the examples under the headings to see how they work in practice.
- Can I ask for some advice?
- Do you have a moment to spare?
- I would like to ask for your advice
- I’m in need of some advice
- Could I pester you for some advice?
- Do you mind sharing feedback with me?
- Do you have anything to say that might help me?
- Can you help me understand this?
- I’d like to understand this better
- What advice can you give me?
1. Can I Ask for Some Advice?
We value politeness and respect above all else. Most workplaces agree with us. Respect is especially necessary when asking for advice in an email.
So, start with a respectful question like “can I ask for some advice?”
It’s direct and to the point, showing that you want to hear from someone. Generally, you’d use it to ask your boss for help, as it shows you respect their knowledge and want to hear their ideas.
You can also review the following email example:
Dear Miss Hillard,
Can I ask for some advice? Everyone recommended you when I asked them who was best to discuss this with.
Best wishes,
Sharon Pope
2. Do You Have a Moment to Spare?
You can also ask “do you have a moment to spare?” This question doesn’t directly ask for advice in itself, though.
Instead, it asks whether someone has time to help you. It’s a great phrase to include in your writing if you don’t want to interrupt someone but still need their opinion or feedback.
For instance, let’s say your boss is busy on most days. You don’t want to distract them from their schedule, but you also need to ask for advice.
You can start an email with “do you have a moment to spare?” before you politely ask for suggestions. It’s highly effective in most professional emails.
Here’s a helpful example to show you how to use it:
Dear Mr. Damm,
Do you have a moment to spare? I think discussing these issues is important, and I could really use some advice.
Thank you so much,
Joey Gordon
3. I Would Like to Ask for Your Advice
Instead of asking a direct question, you can also make a statement. “I would like to ask for your advice” allows you to ask for advice from a mentor.
You can try using it when you trust someone’s knowledge above your own. It’s a really respectful way to ask whether someone is willing to help you understand a situation or provide suitable feedback.
Mentors come in many shapes and sizes. Of course, it doesn’t just have to be your boss you ask for advice. As long as you look up to someone, you can ask them with this phrase.
This example will also clear things up:
Dear April,
I would like to ask for your advice. You always seem to know the best things to say in these situations.
Regards,
Ben Dicker
4. I’m in Need of Some Advice
It may be worth sending someone a message on LinkedIn or via email to ask for advice. You never know if they’ll be willing to help you until you ask.
One example is “I’m in need of some advice” in a private message. It works well because it shows you respect someone’s ideas enough to reach out and ask for help.
We recommend this when messaging a supervisor. It shows you’re happy to hear from them and see if they have any advice that might help you.
Check out this sample message if you still need help:
Dear Miss Hazelton,
I’m in need of some advice. Would you be able to meet with me at lunchtime to discuss my options?
All the best,
Stuart Hitchin
5. Could I Pester You for Some Advice?
For a slightly less confident alternative, you can use “could I pester you for some advice?”
It’s actually quite effective in business situations, but you need to understand the audience first.
Generally, this works better when asking your boss. It’s most effective when you know your boss is busy on most days.
Using “pester” here suggests you’re interrupting them and taking them away from their schedule.
Therefore, it’s best to say “could I pester you?” if you’re trying to sound polite and apologetic. It shows remorse for taking someone away from their schedule before you’ve even asked for advice.
Perhaps the following email will also help you with it:
Dear Mr. Proctor,
Could I pester you for some advice? I’m trying to figure out the best way to complete this without interfering with other teams.
Kind regards,
Kim Bryant
6. Do You Mind Sharing Feedback With Me?
Advice can come in many forms. You can always ask for feedback as a form of advice. Feedback will help you to improve yourself later.
For instance, you can use “do you mind sharing feedback with me?” It’s a useful way to ask for advice for an interview.
If you’ve already been interviewed or have an interview coming up, this phrase can work well. It shows you’re willing to improve by listening to the feedback someone might give you.
Here’s a great example to show you how it works:
Dear Ms. Danforth,
Do you mind sharing feedback with me? I would like to know what I can improve on in my future interviews.
Best regards,
Jon Farley
7. Do You Have Anything to Say That Might Help Me?
You never know what advice someone might give you. That’s why it’s always best to politely ask for guidance in an email.
A great polite alternative is “do you have anything to say that might help me?” It shows you’re seeking advice from people you respect.
We recommend using it when emailing a teacher and asking for help. It shows you value their opinions and want to see what they can do to help you.
Perhaps this example will also help you with it:
Dear Dr. Scott,
Do you have anything to say that might help me? I’ve asked around, and it seems like you provide the best advice.
Thank you so much,
Charlie Hill
8. Can You Help Me Understand This?
You may sometimes need to ask for guidance from a professor. Professors and teachers are almost always happy to help their students when necessary.
That’s where “can you help me understand this?” comes in.
Let’s imagine you’re looking for advice to complete an assignment. Your professor should know the appropriate ways to complete the assignment (since they likely set it).
So, politely ask them for help with this phrase. It’s a great way to ensure you’re doing the right thing before completing a task.
You can also review the following email example:
Dear Professor King,
Can you help me understand this? I’ve been trying to figure out the best solution, but I can’t seem to get it right.
Yours,
Boris Andre
9. I’d Like to Understand This Better
“I’d like to understand this better” is a great formal synonym to show you how to ask for advice in an email. It shows you’re willing to learn from the recipient.
You’ll want to use this when you respect someone’s knowledge enough to ask them for help.
For instance, it works well when asking supervisors to give you some ideas. It shows you’re willing to rely on their seniority and experience to help you with something.
Also, here’s a great email sample to help you understand it:
Dear Abigail,
I’d like to understand this better. I trust you have a few ideas that might be a little more streamlined than mine.
Yours,
William Drake
10. What Advice Can You Give Me?
A simple question like “what advice can you give me?” works well when emailing your boss. It shows you’re open to criticism and want to find out what they have to say.
It’s highly effective in most cases. We recommend using it to ask for advice professionally if you’re looking for something that’s more clear and direct.
You can’t go wrong with this question. It gets straight to the point and makes it clear that you’re looking for open and honest advice.
You can also refer to this example:
Dear Mr. Turk,
What advice can you give me to improve my project? I’d like to hear if you have any ideas that might make things easier.
All the best,
Joe Sutton