Why You Should Ask Lots of Questions in Your First Month at Work

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1. 01Ask Lots of Questions in Your First Month

   Hi, everyone. When I started my first job, I was afraid to ask questions. I thought people would think I wasn't smart. That was a mistake. Today, I'd like to recommend the opposite: ask lots of questions in your first month.

   大家好。我剛開始第一份工作的時候，很怕問問題。我以為別人會覺得我不夠聰明。那是個錯誤。今天，我想推薦相反的做法：在上班的第一個月，多問問題。

2. 02Reason 1: It's Expected

   The first reason is that it's expected. Nobody thinks a new person should know everything. In fact, your first month is the easiest time to ask, because everyone knows you're new.

   第一個理由是，大家本來就預期你會問。沒有人覺得新人應該什麼都懂。事實上，第一個月是最好開口問的時候，因為大家都知道你是新人。

3. 03Reason 2: Fewer Mistakes

   The second reason is mistakes. A thirty-second question can prevent a mistake that takes hours to fix. I once redid a whole report because I didn't ask which format my manager wanted.

   第二個理由是避免犯錯。一個三十秒的問題，就能避免一個要花好幾個小時才能補救的錯誤。我曾經因為沒問主管想要什麼格式，把整份報告重做了一遍。

4. 04Reason 3: Better Relationships

   The third reason is relationships. Asking a coworker for advice starts a conversation, and most people enjoy helping. Some of my closest work friends started with a simple question.

   第三個理由是人際關係。向同事請教可以打開話匣子，而且大部分的人都很樂意幫忙。我在職場上最要好的幾個朋友，就是從一個簡單的問題開始的。

5. 05How to Ask Well

   Of course, ask in a smart way. Try to find the answer yourself first, keep a list so you can ask several questions at once, and write down the answers so you don't ask the same thing twice.

   當然，問問題也要問得聰明。先試著自己找答案，把問題列成清單，這樣可以一次問好幾個，再把答案寫下來，才不會同一件事問兩次。

6. 06Useful Phrases

   Here are some useful phrases: "Do you have a minute?", "Could you show me how to do this?", and "Just to check, should I send this today?" They're polite and clear.

   這裡有幾句好用的說法：「你現在有空一下嗎？」、「可以示範給我看怎麼做嗎？」還有「跟你確認一下，這個要今天寄出嗎？」這些說法既有禮貌又清楚。

7. 07Conclusion

   In conclusion, asking questions doesn't make you look weak. It shows you care about doing a good job. So in your first month, don't be shy. Ask! Thank you.

   總之，問問題不會讓你看起來很弱。它代表你在乎把工作做好。所以在第一個月，別害羞。儘管問吧！謝謝大家。