Dear Jacquelyn,

My holiday office party is coming up. What can I do to maximize my time and use the event to help my career?

Dear Reader,

A company holiday party is an excellent opportunity to network and build relationships.

This is a good time to speak with executives you may not otherwise have a chance to talk with. Approach them with a smile, introduce yourself and keep the conversation upbeat and positive.

Take this opportunity to mingle with people outside your department. Speak to everyone in a positive, friendly tone. Don’t forget that this is not the place to say something negative that could get you into trouble later.

Dressing for success isn’t limited to the workday. Put considerable thought into your attire. You should wear clothing you wouldn’t be embarrassed to wear to work. You can kick it up a notch, but your attire needs to be suitable for a business event, not a nightclub.

Be mindful of your body language. Appearing bored is just as bad as not showing up. Don’t slouch, cross arms or yawn. You never know who might be observing you.

When alcohol is served at the holiday office party, a good idea is to consider something that appears festive but is not alcoholic, such as cranberry juice.

If you are holding a glass, be sure it is in your left hand. The right hand should remain free for handshakes.

Do not plan on drinking it up and letting your guard down, as this could lead you down a road your career won’t recover from. You want to be remembered in a positive way.

On the way out the door, don’t forget to thank the host. Parties require quite a bit of planning and the organizer will appreciate your kind gesture. If the host is a supervisor, you’ll stand out as someone who is gracious and has excellent manners.

Respectfully Yours,

Jacquelyn

Have a question? Email: jacquelyn@ptd.net. Jacquelyn Youst is owner of the Pennsylvania Academy of Protocol, specializing in etiquette training.

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