The annual office holiday party or any office party for that matter is a business function. In spite of a “holiday cheer” wrapping, the annual office party is still a business function and those rules apply. People who are observing your behavior at the party will remember your actions. If you use it is an opportunity to demonstrate your ability to handle business situations of the social nature, you may be remembered when it’s time to choose someone to represent the company. You can just as easily use the annual office holiday party to advance your career as you can to cripple it. The number one way to ensure that you’ll be remembered in a highly negative light? Consume too much alcohol!
Be smart and take the opportunity to meet the owner or CEO and other executives within your company that you might not have met before, or have seldom had the opportunity to speak with. You don't have to spend all night at the event, but you do have to attend. Plan to arrive soon after the event is scheduled to start, everyone will be at the beginning and they won't have repeated the same small talk a million times yet.
First things first, find your host. Thank them and take advantage of the opportunity to chat, but don't monopolize their time. Socialize and introduce yourself to someone you don't know. It may turn out to be someone who can help you on that next project or just someone who turns out to be an interesting person. If you haven't eaten yet, go ahead and sample a few items from the buffet. Be sure to select things you can eat neatly, with one hand, while standing up. If you are consuming alcohol, choose foods high in starch and protein that will help slow the absorption of alcohol into your bloodstream. Be mindful of the amount of alcohol you consume! It is a business event first and a party second. If there is a particular individual that you’ve been interested in meeting, do your homework ahead of time so you can speak with them about their division's newest release, or their favorite sports team, or the play you saw last week. You can talk business, but don't "talk shop". After an appropriate interval, excuse yourself and move on.
When you have spoken to all or most of the bosses, coworkers, and new people you planned to, gracefully leave. As you leave, thank your host for the enjoyable evening.
Most importantly, if you made any verbal commitments to any of the people at the holiday party, make sure to follow up on them. Write them down as soon as you get in the car or taxi.
First things first, find your host. Thank them and take advantage of the opportunity to chat, but don't monopolize their time. Socialize and introduce yourself to someone you don't know. It may turn out to be someone who can help you on that next project or just someone who turns out to be an interesting person. If you haven't eaten yet, go ahead and sample a few items from the buffet. Be sure to select things you can eat neatly, with one hand, while standing up. If you are consuming alcohol, choose foods high in starch and protein that will help slow the absorption of alcohol into your bloodstream. Be mindful of the amount of alcohol you consume! It is a business event first and a party second. If there is a particular individual that you’ve been interested in meeting, do your homework ahead of time so you can speak with them about their division's newest release, or their favorite sports team, or the play you saw last week. You can talk business, but don't "talk shop". After an appropriate interval, excuse yourself and move on.
When you have spoken to all or most of the bosses, coworkers, and new people you planned to, gracefully leave. As you leave, thank your host for the enjoyable evening.
Most importantly, if you made any verbal commitments to any of the people at the holiday party, make sure to follow up on them. Write them down as soon as you get in the car or taxi.
©2009 –YP Mazzulo
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