DealZone

Listen up young Wall Streeters! It’s been a tough year, with the mortgage and credit mess, and your bonus may only be the size of a New York City municipal worker’s salary — but don’t let one night ruin your career.  

You may want to take some advice recently emailed to us under the subject: “Office Party ‘Schmoozing’ for Career Success.” The email leads with the point that “strategic networking” at holiday office parties can boost a person’s career (or end it, as it were). It features tips from John McKee, one of America’s leading business success coaches and author of “Career Wisdom – 101 Proven Strategies to Ensure Workplace Success.” 

How to schmooze without coming off as a brown-noser? How to chat up a head honcho and not appear like a rookie? Is dancing on a table appropriate? Fortunately, McKee has answers.

Here are some of his bullet-pointed tips (and we’re not kidding) — and some of our questions/observations in italics. Please feel free to comment with your own.

Imbibe and socialize with caution.  There is no quicker career killer than public displays of drunkenness at a business function. Don’t embarrass yourself by dancing like a crazy person or like a predator at a club, get caught necking or act aggressive in any way. (Does doing the back-spin or worm qualify as “crazy person” dancing)

Debrief your guest.  The person you have chosen to accompany you to a business function, and how they behave, reflects directly on you – whether positively or negatively. (But what if you really like to party with this person? Won’t bosses respect you for bringing someone who likes to have a good time?)

Maintain your visibility. The location where you are situated should be highly visible.  Stand in a place that is approachable – not behind chairs or the kitchen door where there is high traffic. (Standing by the bar all night is certainly a recipe for disaster).

The great can articulate. Being able to effectively communicate, off the cuff, what you do for an organization, without gloating or over-inflating, is critically important. (Is telling your boss that their spouse is “hot” out of the question then?)