Graduates - How to behave at office parties

July 22, 2009

New graduates who find themselves at their first office party should bear in mind that they are still, officially, at work, despite the student-style free bar and disco.

There are a few important things to remember in order to make a good first impression and to avoid being the disgraced employee returning to work on Monday morning with his tail between his legs.

Rule one: Network
Office parties are a great opportunity to get to know you colleagues better and to get into the boss’s good books. Try not to talk about work too much and instead, find a subject in which you are your superiors share an interest.

It’s amazing how much you will find you have in common with your colleagues if you make the effort to talk to them about their home town, their hobbies and their favourite football teams, TV programmes and films.

Rule two: Don’t gossip
Even if they pretend to be interested at the time, any gossiping about other workmates at office parties will leave a sour taste in your colleagues’ mouths. Avoid getting involved in office politics to ensure you stay on the right side of the people who count.

Rule three: Don’t drink too much
The last thing you want to do is wake up the morning after your Christmas party with no memory of the embarrassing things you did the night before. Don’t go mad with the free bar!