Don’t skip the party!

I must admit; Tip #6 is one I have struggled with in my career. The topic for this week in the “Money & Career: On the Job” article from the May 2017 issue of Essence magazine is regarding attendance at office parties or social events. I struggled with this for a couple of reasons. 1) I do not choose to drink alcohol. I found that most after work events involved drinking, so I just was not interested. 2) I thought just performing well in my job would be enough to secure future promotions. Read the brief article below and let me know what you think.

“Skills and qualifications play a major role in determining who receives promotions or is assigned key projects-but so does being a team player. In some organizations, supervisors and peers take it personally when you are a no-show to after-work parties and company events. “You could be viewed as not being a team player or not as committed to team,” says Devay Campbell, a career coach and certified human resources professional in Pfafftown, North Carolina. “You are sabotaging yourself if you are an ‘eat at your desk’ employee who skips after-hour office events where colleagues and supervisors can get to know you in a less formal environment.” (Gina Roberts-Grey, May 2017)

 Twenty plus years in Corporate America has taught me that my initial thinking was flawed. It is important for people to get to know you on a personal level, even if you think “8am – 5pm is enough time to get to know me.”

 Let me know what you think about Tip #6. Leave a comment below.

#Career #Communication #PresentationSkills