'Tis the season for holiday office and company parties. The holiday office party gives you time to rub elbows with senior executives and other company employees you may not typically interact with during regular business hours. The holiday party is a great time for you to enhance your image as an employee and possibly advance your career.
However, if you are not careful, your personal value at the company could decline if you are not party savvy. To help maintain a professional image, here are top ten tips from experts to surviving the office holiday party. Applying these tips during the office party season will help you enjoy the time out of the office that you spend with your coworkers.
1. Read The Invitation. Etiquette specialist Julie Blais Comeau says it's important to read the invitation and not doing so could be embarrassing, stressful, downright rude and an unexpected expense for your host. In regards to bringing a guest(s), double check with the party coordinator.
2. Get a sense of formality beforehand and dress appropriately. Find out the appropriate attire for event. Leave the night club clothes at home. Don’t show too much skin or wear revealing clothes. Inappropriate attire can alter your coworkers' and boss' perception of you as a competent professional. You don't want to be wearing an elf sweater and earrings blinking like Rudolph nose when everyone else is in suits, advises Ms. Conduct, Robin Abrahams.
3. Arrive Early or On Time. Arriving early gives you the opportunity to talk with senior executives while the party is relatively quiet.
4. Act Appropriately. First, put the BlackBerry away. Some may find it rude if you are texting or Tweeting during the office party. Also, no swearing, no dirty jokes, no belching contests and no sophomoric behavior. Avoid controversial topics like religion, abortion and politics.
5. Mingle. Use the company event as an opportunity to introduce yourself to others outside your department. Be prepared for small talk. Peter Post, of Boston.com, advises that you have several topics, questions or comments in mind when you arrive at the party. Also, make an effort to strike up conversations with people you don't know. You never know who may be able help your career. If you are lost for words, discuss the latest movies or television shows.
6. Don't Get Drunk. Free alcohol usually means excessive drinking. Avoid the temptation and do not drink at the company function. You want to stay in control. Also, you do not want to do anything embarrassing that may haunt your career. Alcohol-induced actions could hurt your chances for advancement.
7. Avoid Talking Business. Use this time to find out about your boss’ interests outside of the office. Try to connect with him or her on a personal level. This could help when it comes time for salary reviews. Save business discussions for business hours.
8. Remember - it is still work. ʺNever forget that it's work,ʺ said Abrahams. You’re not at the office party to have fun, you're there to act like you're having fun. Also, Post also cautions that no matter how festive the atmosphere, your holiday office party is still a business event.
9. Avoid Gossip. Stay away from office gossip and those who partake in any form of gossip. Being seen as the office gossip can hurt your career.
10. Leave Your Problems at the Door. If you are having a disagreement with your boss or a co-worker, leave it at the door. The office party is not the appropriate place to discuss work. Enjoy this time to relax and get to know your coworkers outside of the cubicle.
Sources:
http://www.boston.com/business/articles/2008/11/09/a_workers_guide_for_surviving_the_company_holiday_party/
http://www.usatoday.com/money/workplace/2010-12-07-not-to-say-at-office-party_N.htm
http://www.quintcareers.com/office_party_dos-donts.html
http://www.necn.com/11/30/10/Company-party-etiquette-101/landing_business.html?blockID=363172&feedID=4209
http://www.businessreviewusa.com/tags/barbara-pachter/office-party-etiquette-holidays
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/Office+party+etiquette/3927079/story.html