Monster Reveals Biggest Office Holiday Party Pitfalls

In the spirit of the season, Monster today announced tips to help workers successfully navigate what can be one of the trickiest social events of the year: the office holiday party. Monster is the leading global online careers and recruitment resource and flagship brand of Monster Worldwide, Inc.

The most important thing employees should always remember regarding office holiday parties is, regardless of where the party is held, it is an extension of the workplace and you need to behave accordingly, said Lori Erickson, vice president of human resources, Monster. Employees should have fun, but remain cognizant of the fact that these events provide a great opportunity to casually network with colleagues, people in other departments, and even executives. And, of course, getting drunk and making a spectacle of yourself can haunt you long after the holidays are over.

The Top Holiday Office Party Pitfalls, According to Monster

- No Shows - Workers who snub the holiday party not only run the risk of seeming pompous, but miss a prime opportunity for networking. In fact, according to a recent Tickle test, 31 percent ranked not showing up as their biggest party regret - more than drinking too much (20 percent) or showing up late (18 percent).*

- Being Clique-y - Office parties provide an informal setting to casually meet and mingle with co-workers from other departments and higher-ups with whom there is rare occasion to associate, so take advantage of a good opportunity to branch out.

- After-Party Parties - Unless co-workers plan to continue their celebration with a very close-knit group of office friends, the gathering can quickly result in workplace gossip fodder for months to come.

- Arm Candy Dates - First confirm if guests are invited, then choose wisely. Attendees should bring someone who presents well in conversation with co-workers and superiors - not simply a person who looks good in evening wear.

- Not Saying 'Thank You'- Set yourself apart by thanking the event organizers - or, if appropriate, the manager who approved the party.

Office holiday parties are a great venue for entry-level workers or interns to introduce themselves to more senior-level employees with whom they would not otherwise interact, noted Mark Charnock, vice president and general manager, MonsterTRAK, the division of Monster for college students and recent graduates. However, being both social and professional can be challenging for anybody. Often times junior, as well as more seasoned employees, do what is most comfortable - they only socialize with their friends and sometimes take advantage of the open bar too much - as opposed to doing what is best for their careers.

For additional tips on how to navigate this year's holiday office party, visit: http://career-advice.monster.com/business-etiquette/Office-Holiday- Party-Etiquette/home.aspx. (Due to the length of this URL, it may be necessary to copy and paste it into your Internet browser's URL address field. You may also need to remove an extra space in the URL if one exists.)

*2,521 Tickle.com visitors responded to the What's Your Office Party Personality? test from November 1st to November 8th, 2007. The full test is available at: http://web.tickle.com/tests/officeparty/. Tickle is the leading interpersonal media company, providing self-discovery and social networking services to more than 18 million active members in its community worldwide, and part of the overall Monster Network.