The Company Holiday Party--An Opportunity to Shine

Did you get an invitation to your company's holiday party? Are you going? Hosting a company holiday party is one way management shows employees appreciation for all their hard work during the year. It gives managers an opportunity to recognize achievements and can be a morale booster. Celebrating the season with work colleagues helps to reinforce the company's culture and can be a reminder of why you chose to work there.

Attending could help your career. "While you shouldn’t feel required to attend, keep in mind that such events can be a good way for you to get to know your co-workers better and celebrate accomplishments, which can create a more collaborative working culture year-round," said Johnny C. Taylor Jr., President and CEO of the Society for Human Resource Management in a USA Today article.  But if you want to decline, be gracious in letting your supervisor know you won’t be attending.

"If you do attend the party, remember that it is still a workplace function, and you should adhere to the company’s code of conduct and dress code, even if the party is off-site and after hours, Taylor added. “Enjoy yourself and the company of your colleagues, but don’t drink too much, kiss anyone, dance provocatively or aggressively pursue your company’s executives for conversation."

Helpful Tips

Whether you’ve been to your share of company parties in your career or you’re a new hire and it’s your first time, it’s helpful to review some quick tips for celebrating with your work colleagues and manager:

• Respond to the invitation promptly.
• If leadership asks for volunteers to help, VOLUNTEER! You'll get to know more people.
• Show up if you indicated that you will be attending—it’s polite.
• Introduce yourself to colleagues in other departments and company leaders.
• Talk to people! If you connect, follow up later, even if it's only with a LinkedIn invite.
• Don't overshare on social media. In fact, put your phone away!
• Thank the organizers for putting together the party.

Our advice to you: Follow these simple guidelines and have fun! Along the way, you will be helping your career and may make a few new friends.

Happy Holidays!

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