We all know that one of the great tragedies of the pandemic was the cancellation of office Christmas parties. But with those finally back on the agenda for 2022, we get the feeling that Christmas celebrations are going to be particularly wild this year!
That doesn’t mean that fun should be the only thing you’re thinking about, though. The Christmas party offers a unique opportunity to impress your bosses and accelerate your career in time for the new year. Seeing as we might all be a bit out of practice of exactly how to go about this, we thought you might appreciate our 5 top tips for using your Christmas party as a launchpad to greatness.
Make sure you are the most “enthusiastic” party goer
It’s a fact that your boss expects you to go the extra mile for the company - so your Christmas party should not be an exception. By taking it to the next level you will stand out from the crowd and make yourself more memorable – which means you’ll be the first one up for promotion when the time comes!
For the drinkers amongst us, starting your partying several hours before everyone else with a few bottles of wine is a strong, must-have strategy. Not only will this show your managers that you take preparation for important events seriously but that you are also 100% invested in making the party (and therefore the company) a success.
And if you are unlucky enough to be teetotal at your recruitment Christmas party… Nothing screams enthusiasm more than an air horn! Not only will you be able to add to the highlights of the party with the traditional sound of good times, but you will also have a means of drawing attention back to yourself if you feel that others are starting to steal your limelight.
Corner your boss
Don’t ruin your boss’s Christmas this year by forgetting the time-honoured tradition of cornering them to wax lyrical about everything and anything - from your career aspirations through to how you were a trooper this year and didn’t take a single day off when your cat ate your hamster.
There are some key strategies to being successful in cornering your boss: Most importantly, you need to pick your moment carefully. Starting too early on is a rookie move - you will have too many inhibitions early in the party before the eggnog is really flowing, however, too late in the night can also spell disaster. After all, you really don’t want to line up your heart-to-heart with your manager when he no longer understands a word you’re saying – so make your decision wisely!
This strategy is excellent for climbing the corporate ladder: It will show your boss you are a persistent communicator that refuses to give up - and surely that’s what everyone looks for in a recruiter, right?
Sing the right karaoke song
Sometimes things are best said with a song, particularly anything you are unhappy about in the office. Once the karaoke machine makes an appearance at the Christmas party, not only do you have the chance to show you are a beautiful, confident star to all your colleagues, but also get everything off your chest for a fresh start in the new year.
Looking for a 4-day week next year? “I don’t like Mondays” by the Boomtown rats is the choice for you. Disagree with the corporate strategy? Everyone’s favourite Christmas Number 1 “Killing in the Name Of” by Rage Against the Machine is the song here! Or are you just a country fan who’s looking for the right time to resign? Well, the old classic “Take Your Job and Shove It” by Johnny Paycheck will serve you just fine.
Bring mistletoe
It’s a fact that your managing director is not only looking for confidence in yourself (which you will have shown plenty of by following this guide so far) but also your ability to push others out of their comfort zone. And what is a more festive way to do so than by dangling the mistletoe and awkwardly forcing people (who are frankly only spending time with you because they are paid to do so) to kiss you?
Not only does this demonstrate your skills in coaching/persuasion, but also that you are a true disruptor that is willing to challenge the status quo. Let’s just hope this won’t end with anyone suing you.
For some less radical tips on starting your 2023 strong, read our eBook below:
