The end of the year is approaching. The holiday season is amongst us and you know what that means. It is time for that culminating event: the company holiday party. Are those moans and groans being projected? Do not fret. You may have preconceived notions of what is about to take place. Instead of dreading the inevitable, you should use the company holiday party to your advantage. Here are some tips towards surviving this event with your co-workers:

Company Party Etiquette 101

Don’t let the idea of a party steer you away from the fact that you are surrounded by your colleagues and managers. Some people get wrapped up in the moment, but this is still business. People will be observing your behavior and vice versa. Those that are observing you will remember it when they consider you for other business-related events, leading projects, or even promotions. This also works in reverse as well. You can see who is a good leader or who you would like to belong to your team.

Seize the Moment: Using It to Your Advantage

Arrive at the event on time. The company party isn’t really the right place to arrive fashionably late. This will also allow everyone to be “fresh” with conversation versus coming towards the end of the party and having people feel like it is déjà vu by repeating the same greetings and small talk. You don’t have to spend the entire night at the event, but you have to attend.

Try to make sure that you eat something before you arrive. You do not want to go to the event starving and spend all of your time at the buffet table. But if you are coming straight from work, go ahead and sample a few items. Just remember to pace yourself. It’s hors d’oeuvres with your colleagues, not dinner with friends at your home! Be aware of what you drink and the amount you drink. It’s business first and party second. Drink a glass of white wine before switching to a soda. Hold your drink in your left hand so you can shake hands with someone, and your hand will not be wet or cold.

Make yourself a mental list of things you want to accomplish while at the event, so it can help speed up the time while forcing you to mix, mingle, and connect to potential business leads and confirm your ability. Make sure you find your manager and take advantage of the opportunity to chat, but don’t stay at his or her heels the entire night. Doing this will make it appear like you are trying too hard to make a good impression.

Walk around the room and introduce yourself to people you do not know. You never know, you may meet someone that could be a future connection on a project or a good ally. Seek out the individuals who can influence your career. 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 drown them with business reports all night. After spending an appropriate amount of time with them, excuse yourself, and move on. When you have spoken to all or most of the executives, managers, colleagues, and new people, gracefully leave. As you leave, thank your host for the enjoyable evening.

The annual office holiday party can help advance your career if you take advantage of the opportunity. Take this time to demonstrate your ability to handle business situations in a social setting. It is an opportunity for you to meet the CEO and other senior executives of your company that you might not have met before or had the opportunity to speak with.

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Tags: Career Advice