Submitted by coagulatedmilk88 t3_113qafe in LifeProTips

On the flip side, if you have multiple questions then clearly state, "I have x questions," and number them:
1)
2)
3)

You're more likely to get a full response instead of a knee-jerk reaction to the first point you raise. It's not a guarantee, but this can reduce the back-and-forth follow-up on unaddressed items.

6

Comments

You must log in or register to comment.

sconnie64 t1_j8s4wbj wrote

I copy their original e-mail and answer questions throughout in a different color font.

3

coagulatedmilk88 OP t1_j8tv1lp wrote

That's a good approach, too. I'll usually do that with more complex stuff as well.

1

keepthetips t1_j8rj1i0 wrote

Hello and welcome to r/LifeProTips!

Please help us decide if this post is a good fit for the subreddit by up or downvoting this comment.

If you think that this is great advice to improve your life, please upvote. If you think this doesn't help you in any way, please downvote. If you don't care, leave it for the others to decide.

1

ricardo9505 t1_j8rv3x3 wrote

I call this common fuucking sense

0

coagulatedmilk88 OP t1_j8s07yi wrote

I wish that were true, but the amount of times I've had only the very first question answered when writing in short, 3 sentence emails without pointing out there was more than one question is astounding.

1

monkeybawz t1_j8rj9pz wrote

But if I do it now, what will I do later?

LPT: answer as slowly as possible. People are less inclined to axe you stuff, and you don't get paid anything extra for doing it fast

−1

coagulatedmilk88 OP t1_j8ro1v9 wrote

I suppose it depends on your end goal. If you're in a position you have no ambition to move up from and you're not concerned about your reputation, then sure. If you want to progress, maybe reconsider.

1

monkeybawz t1_j8rwi3m wrote

You don't get promoted for doing a good job. If you do a good job all you get is more work to do, and people leaning on you constantly.

You get better jobs by knowing how to interview for the positions you want.

0

coagulatedmilk88 OP t1_j8s0c5w wrote

Weird, I've gotten many promotions this way. But I work for a decent company, so there's that.

0

monkeybawz t1_j8s2sp1 wrote

We've taken different paths to the same place I'm guessing. Only difference is I'm not carrying someone else's water.

0

coagulatedmilk88 OP t1_j8tv8y2 wrote

You rude to people like this in real life, too? This might explain your promotion struggles.

1

monkeybawz t1_j8tylvg wrote

No, I'm a bastard in real life too. So I don't have any promotion problems.

What I am or am not doesn't stop this being crap advice

0

coagulatedmilk88 OP t1_j8u0x48 wrote

I doubt that you don't have promotion problems, but at least you're consistent.

1

monkeybawz t1_j8u4bjy wrote

It's easy. You apply for the jobs you want. You don't do what is being suggested here, which is to be someone's willing pack mule.

0

coagulatedmilk88 OP t1_j8v4w80 wrote

And keep the job you want by doing it well, not being useless to everyone around you.

1

monkeybawz t1_j8vx155 wrote

Who said that you should be useless? The opposite in fact. People should value and respect your contribution. Not just dump shit on your desk to the point where you have a system for accepting it

1

coagulatedmilk88 OP t1_j8wk3qy wrote

Sounds like you aren't making a contribution if your philosophy is intentional inefficiency. Perhaps you're confusing respect with relief you weren't complete dead weight.

1

monkeybawz t1_j8wlzt6 wrote

Quite the opposite. I'm good at my job. Very good. I'm also not going to carry anyone, because that's not what I'm employed to do.

Your "pro-tip" invites people to walk over you. It's at best obvious, and at worst just plain bad.

Anyhoo. I'm sure you have lots of other people's work to do before the weekend, so have a good one.

0