At least that's what some store or other has purchased Andy Williams's voice to tell us in its tv ads (I think it is Macy's this year). Add to that the coupons and door-buster specials bombarding my email, 'Must-have toys of 2008' or 'Gifts under $50' segments on the news, and the many renditions of who misses whom at Christmas time. Yes, it's Christmas time (or for the more politically correct, the Holiday Season).
This inevitably leads to one of the most discussed professional topics after Thanksgiving... the office party.
I smile everytime I think of it. For some it conjurs up comical memories of partners/managers getting very "friendly" with young associates wearing ultra fitted and/or low neckline, high hemline dresses. For others, they have few memories at all since the arrive at the party a little "toasted" and leave stumbling out totally unaware of what kind of behavior they displayed.
For those just entering the market, beware of the office party. There are plenty of articles and news segments from experts about this though. My focus is on the other professional parties you may find yourself invited to such as an alumni reception.
It's easy to restrain your behavior when you know that the person managing your personnel dossier is standing at the next cocktail table, keeping their eyes out for bad behavior. What about at the Young [insert political affiliation] Holiday Party or the Association of Such & Such Seasonal shin-dig?
At these events the anonymity and relaxed accountability can lull a person into thinking their behavior and attire will go unnoticed and totally forgotten.
I admonish us to listen to wisdom as she screams in the streets. Having just attended such a function, I advise young people to be careful. Here's why:
- In DC, six degrees of separation is probably closer to 3 or 4. Do you really want to show up to an interview and find the guy you fell on (drunk out of your mind) the weekend before? People may not remember good deeds but they do remember bad ones.
- Parties are a great opportunity to network. In such a market environment, your next position may require more savvy and effort to procur. The older lady you happen to begin chatting with while reaching for cheese cubes may have the inside track on an unadvertised position. Or maybe weeks later she remembers that you studied some foreign concept in college that her foundation is launching an initiative on.
- Party organizers are taking notes - After the party they get together and compare notes on the misbehavers. That's probably why some people are not invited back to the XYZ Club dinner the following year. It's not that they are jealous of how good you think you looked in that lipstick red, strapless mini, but that you may have offended an influencial donor.
My advice is not to drink, to dress festively but wisely and not to be the first person on the dance floor or the last person off, but those are personal choices. However, do be mindful that social events can be opportunities to advance your career just as they can also set you you back for years to come.
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