How to Schmooze at the Office Holiday Party

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By PearlsWisdom
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Schmooze at the Office Holiday Party

The Office Holiday Party is not the time to stay glued safely to your circle of work friends. Brush up on your social skills, get up some gumption, and mingle. Here are some guidelines.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Step 1

Office. Party. Look at those two words. Remember that this is an office function first, and a party second. This is an opportunity to be visible and leave an impression. Make it a positive one.
Step 2

Work the room. Make a mental list of people you should say hello to and/or engage in a brief chat. Think in terms of peers, superiors and subordinates. Okay, not everyone has subordinates; the point is to demonstrate that you are comfortable around different levels of people. If you're NOT comfortable, then fake it. Practice some ice-breaker lines that encourage a response: "It's nice to get together with people outside of work." "I can't believe how quickly the year is going." "This is a (beautiful/fun/interesting) place. Have you been here before?" Make a sincere effort to chat. Try hard to avoid the eyes-wandering-off-looking-for-an-escape syndrome.
Step 3

Know when to end a conversation. It's a party and not everyone has time for long conversations; mingling is expected. To end a conversation, wait for a pause and simply say, "Excuse me." It helps if you have an almost-empty drink in your hand, alcoholic or otherwise so you can walk off and get a refill. Don't apologize; smile and say it with confidence. If you think you won't see the person for awhile, throw in, "It was great talking with you. I hope to see you soon."
Step 4

Don't ignore your work friends. It is a party, after all, so by all means have fun. Just don't spend the entire night isolated from the rest of the party with your usual circle of friends. Stir things up a little and bring someone over to join your group's conversation with whom you don't regularly socialize.
Step 5

Meet your co-workers' significant others, if they are present. Act like a host/hostess and introduce yourself. If you spot any stranded significant others throughout the party, try to strike up a conversation. This is a kindness that is always appreciated.