With the holiday season in full effect, we can look forward to a lot of holiday celebrations, potlucks and fundraising activities in the office. In the corporate world, a party doesn’t mean a night of harmless flirting, careless gossiping, or endless cocktail into the early hours of the morning. You can definitely count on an upscale venue with an open bar and influential corporate personnel. This is the company’s way of showing appreciation to their employees for all they have done throughout the year. So before you go dancing on tables and making inappropriate jokes, here are a few do’s and don’ts you should probably consider while celebrating with your corporate family.
1. Stand out style
If the dress code is not specified in the invitation, ask the coordinator for details. The standard rules that apply to the dress code in the office, are the same as those of the office party. Don’t wear anything that is too short, low-cut, sheer, or revealing. In a business setting, you should always present yourself in a professional manner, however, the holiday party gives you some freedom to express who you are. So skip the corporate blazer, turn a bling eye to the club heels, and opt for something a little more fun and festive that represents you.
2. Know your limit
Alcohol plays a big part of most corporate festivities, whether with drink tickets, or an open bar, if you’re one of the lucky ones. You want to make sure you aren’t the talk of the party in a bad way, so to do so, make sure that you watch how much you are taking in. It’s easy to get caught up in the fact that you aren’t footing the bill, but embarrassing yourself in front of your superiors or subordinates is never a good idea. So take a few toast and have a few rounds on the boss, but please don’t end up a hashtag by the end of the night.
3. Good networking opportunity
Break out of your comfort zone and meet new people from different departments, get familiar with the higher-ups, and take the time to get to know the colleagues who you frequently e-mail but have never actually met. Don’t discuss work, instead keep the conversation positive and upbeat, nothing is more annoying than talking about a bad work experience and killing everyone’s vibe. To strike up a conversation, talk about plans for the holiday, sports or entertainment. Finally, show interest in what other people are saying and give a response with substance, no one likes to be ignored.
4. Have fun
You spent the last 11 months working hard, making sure you put forth your best self, so now is the time to celebrate your hard work. Don’t be shy, loosen up, post a group photo, and participate in the mini dance circle. Try not to be so uptight that no one wants to hang around you, because that won’t be fun for anyone. This season only comes around once a year, so make the most of it, because come January, it’s back to work. Remember this is an opportunity for you to relax, unwind, socialize and have fun!
By: Dia McLaughlin, Mississauga, @diamari3
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