It’s that time of year again! The work Christmas parties are all booked in. Christmas is a time of celebration and is a good excuse to throw a party at work to close out the year. The work Christmas party has something of a reputation for being a place where people drink too much and possibly do something they might regret, which is made even worse when your job is involved.
At Levitate Recruitment we typically receive two or three calls in December/January from individuals looking for a new role citing the Christmas party as a reason they are seeking a new job.
It’s important to know how to behave at a work’s Christmas party, so here are some tips;
- The most important thing to remember is that the party is technically still an extension of the workplace, even if you don’t get paid to attend. Whether the party happens at your actual workplace is irrelevant; what matters is that you’re essentially representing your employers and so should behave in a professional way.
- The party will more than likely involve some senior figures within your firm, which makes it even more important to behave appropriately. Make sure you know who they are, and if possible, say hello and thank them for the party. Not only is this good for scoring brownie points, but it should also help to remind you to behave yourself.
- Use the party as a chance to mingle with colleagues you don’t work closely with rather than just sticking to the same group. An office party is a great place to chat to colleagues you don’t spend much time with, or just haven’t gotten to know yet. Parties are a perfect networking opportunity, especially if you’ve been thinking about promotion recently.
- Try to stay away from office gossip wherever possible. It’s fine to make small talk with your colleagues and would be rude not to, but try to avoid speaking negatively about other people, or spreading rumours about them.
- You may have an issue with one of your colleagues. The Christmas party is not the best place to try to resolve it. You are all there to enjoy a party and not discuss frustrations with each other. It’s best to avoid them and try to resolve the situation once you are back in the office on a workday.
- Alcohol; we all know our limits. It’s easy to get carried away especially when there may be a free bar. Having too much to drink is the most common reason for things going wrong.
Enjoying yourself at your office Christmas party shouldn’t feel like a challenge, but it’s important to remember that it’s not a regular party with your regular social circle. It’s an extension of your workplace, and so you should still act in a professional way. Using the opportunity to show yourself as a professional, sociable employee makes much more sense than doing something regrettable. Be sure to have a good time, but don’t forget who you’re with.
Remember, what happens at the Christmas party does NOT always stay at the Christmas party!
For advice about your career options, contact Levitate Recruitment. We are specialists in assisting practice-trained accountants and insolvency professionals secure new opportunities across the UK and Overseas.
