How to ask a high quality question
It's possible you are reading this because you had something you wanted answered about the workplace and came here - only to find it downvoted or even closed. If this is you (or you want to ensure your future questions are good) then this section is for you.
Generally speaking, questions which are successful here will have both of the following attributes:
- A specific question which can actually be answered
- Useful to users other than yourself
Let's talk about the types of questions which are not good for this format. The FAQ describes some but here are some more detailed explanations.
Generally, if your question can be easily rephrased "help me make a decision" or "give me guidance" it will be closed. We have seen a large variety of these, but some of the most popular are:
- What job should I take?
- What should I do?
- Should I do XXXXX I don't know?
- I did/didn't do XXXX, was this a good idea?
The reason these questions are closed is that overwhelmingly these questions are more suited to discussions than a question/answer. No one can answer what is right for you.
This community is not a Workplace equivalent of Dear Abby - most of these questions cannot be answered as they are soliciting opinions on what should, or should not, be done.
Instead, consider focusing on the answerable components for your question. For example, you could ask:
- What are key differences between a large company and a small company to consider when evaluating a job offer?
- How can I prevent a coworker from continuing to steal my office supplies?
- What are the factors I should consider before doing XXXXX?
These questions are more focused than the first list and, more importantly, they have a specific question.
We know, your coworkers are awful and make your life miserable.
Unfortunately, letting off steam normally results in a rant rather
than a good question. Focus on the specific problem and leave the
emotional and personal details aside.
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