How to repair your reputation after a holiday party blunder.
Alright, so you didn’t read my last article – you had a few too many vodka and tonics and things got a little out of hand at your company’s holiday party.
Whether you mouthed off to your manager, got caught up in an inappropriate conversation, or became a little too friendly with one of your coworkers, it’s important to address the situation as soon as possible and do a little damage control. While 1-800-Flowers can help you put together an “I’m sorry I threw up on you at the holiday party” flower arrangement, it’s going to take more than that to reverse the damage done to your reputation.
Take the following steps to start repairing your personal brand when you wake up the next morning with a little dread and a killer headache.
Regroup.
Take a step back – what did you do or say, and who was involved? Who witnessed anything particularly damaging? Also, don’t assume the worst – find out what happened from a colleague you trust (ideally one who was in better shape than you) before planning your next steps.
Follow Up.
It’s important to apologize to anyone who was directly involved or offended as a result of your mishap. This is particularly important if it affected your direct manager or staff. Whenever possible, do this face-to-face and in a conference room so you have privacy. Depending on what happened, you may want to loop in HR.
Move on.
Don’t dwell on the issue or continue bringing it up with your coworkers. What’s done is done. Make any necessary apologies and move on. Learn how to recognize your triggers so you can avoid repeating the same mistakes in the future. The best way to improve your personal brand is to demonstrate your professionalism going forward.
Add value.
It goes without saying that your new goal is to be a model employee at the company. Also, look for ways to add value to the organization outside of your day-to-day activities. For instance, you could volunteer to manage the company’s indoor soccer team or head up the next fundraiser for charity.
It can take years to build a positive personal brand but only an evening – and a few too many cocktails – to do some serious damage. Don’t let a silly mistake affect your potential at the company. You won’t be able to fix things overnight; however, handling the aftermath with professionalism and tact will put you on the right track.
Amanda Augustine is the Job Search Expert for TheLadders, the online job-matching service for career-driven professionals. She is a Certified Professional Career Coach (CPCC) and Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) who provides job search and career guidance for professionals looking to make their next career move. Have a question for Amanda? Submit your question here for a chance to have it answered in her weekly column, and be sure to follow @JobSearchAmanda on Twitter and "Like” her on Facebook for up-to-the-minute job-search advice.
Want to ask me your job-search questions face-to-face? Come join me at Job Central, Presented by TheLadders, on January 10th from 9am-3pm EST. See you there!
Plan ahead to save face during corporate events.
There are tons of articles out there warning you to be on your best behavior during holiday events, but still, many find themselves the butt of their colleagues’ jokes the next day. I don’t know what it is about holiday parties, but many think it gives them a license to abandon all the rules and let loose, regardless of the consequences.
I’ve seen my share of poor holiday performances over the years and have learned a lesson or two along the way. The bottom line: there’s never a good reason to behave badly at a corporate event – during the holidays or otherwise. Not only are you damaging your personal brand, but you could be sabotaging your potential advancement at the organization.
Even if you are counting down the days till bonuses are delivered so you can quit, don’t burn any bridges that could lead to recommendations, references, or even job leads later in your career. No one wants to stick their neck out for the guy who ends up in a sit-down with HR the morning after a holiday party. Here are four tips to help you avoid mishaps at the company party:
Catch the right attention
Show up on time and spend the first part of the event chatting with your boss and your higher-ups. You’re better off getting your face time in early, before the drinks start flowing or you’re a sweaty mess from dancing. Remember, these events are opportunities to promote your personal brand and network with colleagues you normally don’t work with.
Hit up the buffet
If the evening will involve alcoholic beverages, have a game plan. Make sure to hit up the buffet at the beginning of the event to avoid liquid-only consumption. If you’re unsure of the food situation , do yourself a favor and eat something before you go, or bring a snack with you. I like protein bars because they’re small enough to fit in a suit pocket or slim purse and still fill you up.
Stick to the 2-drink rule
If you’re going to drink, limit yourself to 2 alcoholic beverages, and have a glass of water in between each one. There’s nothing wrong with ordering seltzer with a lime as the night progresses – this way, your hands are still full and you’re not in danger of embarrassing yourself with a drunken mishap.
Have a plan B
Have a buddy at the event to keep you in check. This could be your date or a trusted colleague at the company. Program the number of a taxi or car service into your phone, just in case you or another colleague needs alternative transportation to get home.
Everyone likes to have a good time at corporate events – but that doesn’t give you license to disregard the rules. Remember that you are an extension of your company’s brand, and behave accordingly. Follow the tips above to keep your reputation intact and your career headed in the right direction.
Amanda Augustine is the Job Search Expert for TheLadders, the online job-matching service for career-driven professionals. She is a Certified Professional Career Coach (CPCC) and Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) who provides job search and career guidance for professionals looking to make their next career move. Have a question for Amanda? Submit your question here for a chance to have it answered in her weekly column, and be sure to follow @JobSearchAmanda on Twitter and "Like” her on Facebook for up-to-the-minute job-search advice.
Want to ask me your job-search questions face-to-face? Come join me at Job Central, Presented by TheLadders, on January 10th from 9am-3pm EST. See you there!
The job market doesn’t take the holidays off and neither should you. 
While your competition is busy sipping eggnog, take advantage of this opportunity to move your job search efforts ahead. Follow the five strategies below this season to get a head start on your search for the New Year.
Make A List...And Check It Twice!
There are only so many hours in the day, and chances are you’ll have your hands extra full with holiday preparations. Take a look at your calendar now and prioritize your activities. When and where can you invest in your job search? What holiday happenings can serve double-duty as job-search activities?
Be Merry
Your attitude can make or break your job-search efforts. Remember, companies are still hiring – in fact, many recruiters are under pressure to fill roles before the end of the year. Push away any thoughts of gloom and exude a confident state-of-mind, both online and offline, to move your job search in the right direction.
Send Season’s Greetings
Use the holidays as an excuse to reengage with your rolodex of contacts. Send your well wishes in a holiday card or email and invite key contacts out for a cup of hot cider to catch up. Send season’s greetings to recruiters you’ve worked with and employers you’ve interviewed with in the past to update them on your most recent job-search activities and reiterate your interest in working with them in the future.
Turn Events Into Opportunities
Tis the season for holiday parties, open houses, family get-togethers…and networking! Check your industry’s trade associations for holiday mixers and attend parties hosted by your friends and family. Before each event, think about how you will modify your elevator pitch to suit the audience and occasion. Will they understand your industry’s jargon, or do you need to discuss your potential value and job goals in broader strokes?
Treat Yourself
Capitalize on holiday sales to update your job-search tools. These could include anything from your interview and networking outfits, to a new briefcase or portfolio, to a professionally written resume or a set of business cards. Is your family nagging you for gift ideas? Scope out the stores and ask for specific items or gift cards to boost your job-search efforts.
Try incorporating these strategies into your plans over the next few weeks and you’ll have a head start on the New Year’s resolutionists. Click on the following link for more information about job seeking during the holidays.
Amanda Augustine is the Job Search Expert for TheLadders, the online job-matching service for career-driven professionals. She is a Certified Professional Career Coach (CPCC) and Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) who provides job search and career guidance for professionals looking to make their next career move. Have a question for Amanda? Submit your question here for a chance to have it answered in her weekly column, and be sure to follow @JobSearchAmanda on Twitter and "Like” her on Facebook for up-to-the-minute job-search advice.