The season to be jolly responsible

Workers with a keen interest to get ahead in their careers can use this year’s festive events to their advantage while their colleagues kick up their heels.

An increase in social events with the boss, colleagues, clients and contacts that comes at Christmas can be a good time to leave a favourable impression and begin the new year on a positive note.

Christmas parties in Australia have become associated with drunken behaviour which can lead to sexual harassment claims or inappropriate career-ending shenanigans.

But workers can put in the effort to turn the annual festivities to their advantage.

Experts say workers of any social competence and interest can make moves at the Christmas party to further their career, whether they want to move up the corporate ladder quickly or just be noticed by the boss for future recognition.

HLB Mann Judd marketing director David Dercho says the rules for attending a Christmas party are no different from any other networking opportunity in the year.

He says workers should focus on being professional and appropriate to the particular situation.

“This by no means limits the opportunity to enjoy yourself and revel in some festive cheer,” he says.

“However, you need to be very mindful that your personal brand is on display and your actions have the ability to enhance or damage your reputation with co-workers, clients and potential future employers.

“Any networking opportunity presents you with the potential to improve existing relationships and create new ones.”

He says workers who enjoy a drink can do so in moderation and eating some food is a good idea.

The Career Consultancy director Catherine Cunningham says workers need to think of themselves as a commercial commodity.

She says there can be much gained by meeting with people face to face.

“People will buy from people they know and trust,” she says.

She says workers should treat Christmas parties with caution and imposing strict self rules, such as leaving after a meal and limiting alcohol intake to one or two glasses of wine, can be a good move to prevent career catastrophe.

“One of the things that’s worthwhile in the office Christmas party is to try to meet someone in another department,” she says.

“It’s part of ongoing advancement through the organisation to associate outside of immediate contacts.”

She encouraged staff to attend client parties to reinforce to their client that they can trust them.

“You don’t get work if you make your customers feel like you don’t like them,” she says.

PARTY TIPS
THE CONTACTS

• Tips to stand out at an industry or professional group Christmas party:
• Reach out to someone. Smile. Make eye contact.
• Be approachable.
• Give compliments but make sure you are honest and do not overdo it. If you receive one in return and feel uncomfortable, just say thank you.
• Use the party as a starting point for new relationships and follow up with contacts after the party at additional events.
• Avoid selling yourself too much. Many people misconstrue networking as having to talk about themselves. Ask questions of others.
• Take a non-competing contact or associate with you.
• They may know people they can introduce to you, which can be socially easier than approaching other guests off the cuff on your own.
• Approach other guests, introduce yourself and see where the interaction takes you. It can be a very low return on investment but can give an immediate hit.
• Have some topics of conversation prepared but listen to responses and ask questions. This is particularly important if you are not a naturally good conversationalist.

THE CHRISTMAS PARTY
THE OFFICE

• Tips to advance your career at the office Christmas party
• Not attending the office party is bad form. You want to look like a team player. Your absence will be noted and could come back to haunt you at review time. Consider it an official work function.
• Make sure your boss sees you and remembers speaking with you. Shake hands with your boss and senior managers and wish them a merry Christmas. When it comes time for promotions, your boss is likely to pick a pleasant individual who seems happy to be at the company.
• If you have not met the head of the organisation, be introduced through an intermediary. Do so at the beginning of the evening, not after a few drinks at the end.
• Join an ongoing conversation. See if you can join in with a new group of people who are discussing something that interests you.
• Try to talk about things other than work and take the opportunity to get to know people on a personal level.
• Act like the host and try to speak with co-workers you might not get the chance to during the year.
• Leave soon after the conclusion of official proceedings, such as after the meal at a dinner. Staying longer may prove too tempting to overindulge in alcohol.
• Your Christmas party is a time to celebrate the year with your colleagues and if you keep the conversation positive and light-hearted, it will be a party to remember for the right reasons.

THE FUNCTION

• Tips to get ahead when invited to a client Christmas party
• Go in with the attitude that it is no different to any other client function throughout the year. Try to get a list of who else is attending the function and identify people you would be interested in catching up with or be introduced.
• Focus on social conversation rather than direct work issues with your client and other guests.
• Your fellow guests are there to enjoy themselves and expand their networks, so ensure that the impression you leave with them is a lasting and positive one.
• Research the dress code before you go. When in doubt, err on the conservative side. Avoid too much skin.
• Remember you are a reflection of your host.
• Complement them do not upstage or embarrass them.
• Say goodnight and thank the party organiser before you leave.

Contributors: Cara Jenkin with Catherine Cunningham and David Dercho.