It’s easy to be critical of person asking these types of questions but I have found myself asking them too. Often times we care very much about success of our friends and family. We want to help in any way we can. How’s job search going? How’s your business doing? Got an interview this week? seem innocent enough but they can be painful. These are tough times and many people have been out of work for a while. It takes time to establish a new business. Perhaps a better question to ask someone you care about is, “How can I support you to get what you want?”

Take Action 1.What are questions that make you cringe? Create a few possible answers for them and practice them out loud.

2.Watch your interactions with friends and acquaintances. What questions do you ask that may make them uncomfortable? Can you rephrase them?

3.Make a list of interesting questions you can ask someone you are talking to that would be helpful but not intrusive.

Alvah Parker is a Business and Career Coach as well as publisher of Parker’s Points, an email tip list and Road to Success, an ezine. Alvah is found on the web at www.asparker.com. She may also be reached at 781-598-0388. Copyright © 2004 all rights reserved. Permission is granted to reproduce in its entirety including copyright and contact information.