My Humiliating Holiday Office Party DON'T: Yikes!

When I came across this image the other day (see above), I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. I decided to laugh–and share it in hopes that it might help others to successfully navigate the holiday party season.

You’re probably saying to yourself, “Yeah, right! I’m going to take advice from this chick?” Well, we are all allowed some indiscretions in our early 30s. Trust me, this was a long time ago and with age comes wisdom. Here’s mine …

·       DON’T dress to excess: This photo of me is a perfect “What Not to Wear” example. (Talk about Ho Ho Ho!!!) Play it safe at business holiday functions, and opt for nice rather than naughty! Think about what you consider normal business attire and then kick it up just a notch. Don’t forget to add a festive touch that reflects your personal style.

·       DON’T party too hearty: You’ve heard it before but it bears repeating! After putting your best foot forward all year long, striving to present your capabilities and knowledge, DON’T blow it in one night! Consume more than 2 drinks and you risk slurred speech, impaired judgment, vomiting, decreased coordination or worse! And smoking? Ewwww, what was I thinking? Thankfully, public smoking is no longer acceptable – but even the smell of cigarettes leaves a lasting impression – for all the wrong reasons.

·       DON’T be the center of attention: While it is a huge mistake to be a wallflower at a company-sponsored event, demanding the spotlight is equally bad, if not worse. Observe your surroundings and do your best to mirror the behavior of those who command the most respect. Have fun and be engaging, but stay composed and aware.

·       DON’T ignore etiquette: Drinking out of a beer bottle? Really? What the heck was I thinking? This isn’t a frat party! Nor is it a feast of gluttony. Use your best manners. Be patient, whether awaiting the pass-around snacks or on the buffet line. Remember to take small portions of food, and always say please and thank you to servers.

·       DON’T whip out your cell phone: Sure, it’s fine to put your phone on vibrate in case you’re awaiting an important call or text. But ignoring those around you to make or take a call sends a message that the person on the other end of the phone is more important than they are. Unless you want to make your fellow party-goers feel insignificant, keep phone chats and texts to a bare and necessary limit.

·       DON’T forget to network: The holiday party is a great environment for renewing old acquaintances or meeting new colleagues. But the biggest challenge for many is how to ease into conversation naturally. A great icebreaker: break out your camera and tell people you’re taking photos for the company intranet. You can also try standing near the food. A simple comment like, “Have you tried the brownies?” may be all it takes to strike up a convo with the CEO of your company. Tips: Keep you right hand free for shaking and keep business conversations very light.

 Finally, here’s my bottom line DON’T: Never, ever, ever do anything to harm your company’s reputation. When you accepted your job, you made an unspoken commitment to uphold the values of the firm you work for. If you can’t be responsible for your own behavior and choices, how do you expect to be perceived?

Do you have a holiday party DON’T. Please share! And happy holidays…

Gail Tolstoi-Miller is an award-winning entrepreneur, CEO, Career Coach and Staffing Strategist. Consultnetworx provides companies successful recruiting strategies, process, brand and unconscious bias remedies to attract and hire the best talent.  Careernetworx, helps mid-career job seekers to land the job of their dreams. Gail's book, Networking Karma was recently awarded Best Business Book by IndieReader.