Every year around this time, my mailbag fills with emails from readers asking if they should visit their office holiday party. Apparently an awful lot of people really don't want to spend several hours eaten Cold cookies and cheese balls with their colleagues.
I'm sympathetic. In the end if the idea of a holiday party reward employees something fun, why you should go if it doesn't sound like fun? But therein lies a mysterious contradiction company holiday party: it must be a perk for employees, but, Oh, by the way — you must be present. Frustrating? Yes. Contrary to the spirit of joy of the holiday? Perhaps.
But you better get your own visits to your holiday party this year. Here's why:
Would informally. Most of us are not used to associate a "required", "party", but in some parts of these parties, the border is required. It is possible that your boss doesn't care — but it's also quite possible that he or she is doing (or not so secretly, secretly). Even bosses who claim not to care is often seen and care at a certain level, so you're safer, assuming that your note, if you don't make an appearance.
[See 10 reasons to accelerate work on the holidays.]
Essentially is a business event, and this is how you should look into it. Holiday party invitation made by the company is its employees, with at least an assumption that you will attend. So if you are not counting on it, think of it as any other obligations of business. This one just happens to come with a sparkly dresses, bad music and stamp.
You can get acquainted with people in other areas of the company. In larger companies, in particular, there are loads of people you would normally never be able to interact with, and communicate with them is a major perk holiday party. Getting to the Assistant Director, head of the legal or accounting guy can pay off in many different ways later (even if it's just a guy in the areas of accounting, looking the other way when you switch your expense report later).
You can raise your visibility with professionally important audiences. Since the parties puts people at all levels of the hierarchy of the company, however, in the same room and commands them to communicate, it's a great opportunity to network, if you decide to use it that way. This is an opportunity to present themselves as leaders of the companies that you may not speak normally. Knowing them can be a huge boon in the future, if you are trying to build support or promotion, or if they are looking for someone to help. Just make sure you raise your visibility on the correct path is as clever and engaging — not being a drunk guy who grabs the MIC by DJ.
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Still not convinced? Remind yourself that this is just a couple of hours every year. That you can handle in exchange for being seen as one person in your Department, which did not accept the invitation extended to the company for the night. In addition, you can come too late and if you are pathetic, leave at the beginning. But at least make an appearance.
And then, perhaps, the beginning, looking for a job with colleagues that you actually want to stand around eating Frosted cakes with a few hours every year.
Alison green writes a popular blog ask Manager where it distributes career counselling, job search and management issues. It is also the author of Manage to change the world: nonprofit leader Guide to getting the results and former Chief of staff of successful non-profit organization, where she oversees the day-to-day management, hiring, firing and employee qualifications. She now teaches other managers control results.
