Ask the expert: Put effort into getting noticed

Q. How can I attract the attention of a headhunter?

A. The simplest way is to present a good application for a position that the headhunter is trying to fill.

You should polish your CV for the position, and include an appropriate covering letter.

Make sure you speak to the headhunter or meet them in person before you submit your CV. This will improve your understanding of the position requirements (and from that, your CV), as well as to make a personal contact.

If you are not successful, request a brief meeting for feedback on your application.

Close that meeting with a request that your CV is kept on file and that you be contacted about any positions that suit your skills and abilities.

Then, like any member of your job-search network, keep in touch with them, maybe once a month.

If you see an interesting advertisement from them, or their company, call them to ask about your suitability. Getting attention is easy if you have an established relationship.

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Q. One of my team members is a real whinger and moaner - a complete pessimist - and I can see how it's not good for his colleagues. Lately it's been even worse, but as his performance is fine I am not quite sure how to jog him into a less negative state of mind. Do you have any suggestions?

A. Start by telling him your observations of his behaviour and the effect it has on others.

Ask him for his perspective on the issue, and be prepared to listen to his responses and consider them in working out a way to move forward.

While we all encounter the employee who seems to carry a cloud of gloom around with them, the area hasn't received a lot of attention at the level of research or practice.

I'd love to hear from other readers who have either dealt effectively and creatively with a whinging colleague, as well as from those who have insight into why some people whinge at work and the effects - positive and negative - of this practice or attitude.

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Q. If I take unpaid leave for whatever reason - say, six months after four years of service - do you think it's reasonable for a company to want to "bond" me for a certain time after that? Does the law say anything about that sort of thing?

A. When you take unpaid leave, the company has to fill in with a temporary employee for the period of your leave, which can be very costly in terms of recruiting and selection, training, and the impact on other staff.

If it doesn't replace you, then your co-workers carry extra work, which means they won't be able to pursue other opportunities while covering for you.

Given that there is a cost to the company from your absence, it doesn't seem unreasonable for the company to require you to agree to return and work a certain amount of time after that point to pay it back for the time you had away.

You may be able to negotiate with your employer to take this leave during a slow time of the year, when the cost to the company is less, and reduce your commitment to remain in return.

To the best of my knowledge (not as a lawyer), there are no laws that address this issue specifically.

However, generally such arrangements would need to be seen as reasonable and negotiated in good faith.


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