How to find an expert in your Slack workspace

Start with the problem someone might have discussed

Search for the tool, error, or decision you need help with. A job title is often too broad: someone with the title Software Engineer may know very little about your particular database problem.

Slack supports search modifiers such as in: to narrow results to a channel and from: to search a person's messages. Quotation marks find an exact phrase. Try a specific search, then read the surrounding thread to see who contributed useful context.

Reference: Slack's guide to search and modifiers

Check what the person can help with

A relevant message is a lead. Read enough to distinguish someone who asked the original question from someone who helped resolve it. Look for the explanation, the follow-up, and whether the situation resembles yours.

If your workspace uses WhoCan, you can also browse member profiles and skills on the web. Members can add skills themselves, and help requests and endorsements add context. Treat those records as a starting point for a conversation; they don't certify professional expertise.

Make the first request small and specific

Tell the person what you're trying to do, what you've tried, and the kind of help you want. A review of one query is easier to assess than a request to help with the database. Include a link or short example only when the recipient should have access to it.

• Name the subject or skill.
• Describe the part that's blocking you.
• Ask for one concrete next step.
• Let the person decline or refer you to someone else.

Let WhoCan ask when you don't have a name

Ask in a Slack channel where WhoCan is present, or send the bot a direct message. Confirm the search and the skill to look for. WhoCan contacts potential helpers and introduces you when someone accepts.

If nobody accepts, check whether the skill is too broad or the question is missing context. In a new workspace, people may still need to add their skills. An available helper isn't guaranteed, so keep an urgent issue on your team's usual support or incident path.