How to Navigate the Office Holiday Party Like a Pro

Ho Ho Ho, it’s that time of year again, when invitations to office holiday parties start to roll in.  Holiday events can provide a great opportunity to network and make a positive impression.  They also have the potential to be catastrophic, and can even derail a promising career.  Throughout my lengthy corporate career, it still amazes me that there is always at least one clueless employee that drinks too much at the holiday bash and either passes out drunk, pukes in view of everyone, dances on tables, or has to be driven home because they can’t walk straight. 

You are always making a lasting impression, even at holiday parties given by your company, clients, networking groups, or vendors.  Although a festive holiday mood may prevail, people still perceive you as an employee or representative of your company.  Your conduct should reflect that, no matter how festive the atmosphere.

One young man I worked with did not comprehend the difference between an office “party” and a purely social event.  When the office holiday party rolled around, he drank as though he were at a college frat party, taking full advantage of the free food and booze.  Losing his inhibitions, he danced and flirted with abandon. One of the songs the DJ played had the “F” word in it, and he boisterously sang along, raising his voice considerably during the verse where the “F” word was sung.  Back at the office the next day, everyone chuckled about his behavior and the massive hangover he must have had the next day.  Within weeks he was fired.

Office holiday parties and events are a great way to make a good impression and expand your professional network.  Once you receive an invitation to a company party or event, here are some things to think about that will help you prepare to make the most of the opportunity:

• Dress appropriately for the event and the venue.  Don’t dress like you’re going clubbing.  Avoid wearing cute holiday outfits such as a sweater with reindeer or Christmas kitty-cats all over.  You are there to network amongst your colleagues and make a good impression, not to be a party animal or play Mrs. Clause.
• Keep your alcohol consumption under control so you can project professionalism.
• If the event is a sit down lunch or dinner, it’s not the time to be “fashionably late”.  Arrive on time.  
• If there’s dancing, keep it low key.  Don’t bump & grind your co-worker, no matter how much you may want to!  
• Keep conversation clean and appropriate.  This isn’t a forum for you to get on your soapbox or risk offending anyone.  Steer clear of discussing politics, religion, or other controversial topics.  Stick to neutral subjects such as company business, general business events or non-controversial news and events.
• Mind your manners!  If the event is a lunch or dinner, make sure you exhibit basic table manners;  use the correct fork, don’t slurp soup or beverages, never speak with your mouth full, and don’t drink out of the finger bowl!  If you are ignorant about basic table manners, browse through some etiquette tips beforehand.  If you exhibit bad manners, you may not be invited to future events where clients or company executives will be present.
• Don’t stand around huddled in a circle with the people you work with every day.  Spend some quality time with them, but use the opportunity to meet & greet others. Be prepared with an introductory line and a few interesting topics to discuss when you meet new colleagues at the event.  A good introductory line will provide your name, what area of the company you work in, and one thing you’re currently working on. 

If you are greeting a colleague you don’t know very well, or someone at a higher level, be prepared with something you can talk about that will help them link you to your department or a specific project.  For example, if you are meeting a high level leader for the first time, say something like: “Hi, I’m Katie Haywood, it’s a pleasure to meet you.  I work in Jay Jammer’s group in the Marketing department.  My team is revamping the vendor request process used to purchase prospect lists.  We're re-engineering the process in order to reduce costs.”

The leader will probably say something like: “Oh, that’s great.  Hopefully you’ll identify some cost savings for us this quarter.  So how’s the project going?”  S/he may already know how it’s progressing but wants to see what you have to say about the progress, and may also be using the opportunity to get to know some of his/her staff a little better.  This leader can now associate your name with a worthy project, and will make an effort to remember you. 

Before the party, give yourself an unofficial goal such as meeting 2-3 new colleagues and at least one high level leader at the event.  If you’re feeling confident, continue to meet & greet new people.  Even if you are working on what you consider to be a menial project, good leaders realize that everyone on a team is important.  No matter how great or small your contribution, it is important to the company.  Don’t be afraid to introduce yourself to a much higher level person and briefly explain what you do.

Keep your conversations brief, to about 5 or 10 minutes. The objective is to meet new people, expand your network, and make a good impression. 

The key to not feeling awkward at holiday events, and taking advantage of the networking opportunity is to be prepared so you don’t wander around feeling like the village idiot, or stand in uncomfortable silence as you think of something to say.  Happy Holiday Networking!