Intern's first office holiday event/party
I am currently interning at big bank and will be attending my first office holiday celebration. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to make the most of this or advice on how to navigate this kind of event as an intern?
You have to make a move on another intern. Those chicks get wasted at these events without fail.
Treat the open bar as a challenge to your manhood.
Not a guy
My words should then be doubly valuable. To spell it out for you, don't be on the other end of that advice
And serious suggestions or advice please
Mine was TIC, but was serious - don't get drunk. I HAVE seen people treat the open bar as a challenge. It doesn't end well.
Try to talk about anything other than work. Ask people about their kids. Vacation plans. Dole out compliments but don't be a kiss-ass. For some people, working a room comes natural, not so for others, but it's a skill that can be learned.
Drink, talk to people and have fun. Definitely don't get sloppy. It's a party, there shouldn't be too much to navigate...
Do NOT:
If you avoid these (surprisingly common) pitfalls, you should be fine.
The holiday party is not a time to make a name for yourself. Many people have stalled or ended their careers at holiday parties, but nobody I'm aware of has advanced their career there.
The above couple are good. Act like a human. Don't talk about work, at least don't talk about deals and shit you're actually working on, general economic trends and stuff like that are ok (because most people will be finance geeks who actually enjoy talking about that stuff, myself included), don't talk about politics or religion no matter who brings it up and don't get involved in office gossip. And do not get drunk. Drink but unless you can handle it stay away from liquor and nurse wine or beer instead. It's ok to get a little loose but you don't want to be that 22 year old who's wasted and hooking up with the person from marketing. And have fun. Get to know the people you work with in a setting that's not the office.
unless said marketing girl is a state-school smoke show who's just asking for it; if that's the case go for the gold buddy you deserve it.
depends on your bank's culture though. group i summered in was very collegiate, and everyone drank pretty heavily. as result, most receptions/events got pretty rowdy, interns included. just try to remain one pace behind everyone, in terms of drinks, and you'll be gucci breh
Depends on your office, really. "Don't get drunk" is pretty good advice for life in general, but with my office's parties, sooner or later someone or another typically ends up hurling projectile vomit somewhere. We had a party once when a 40yo MD was almost unconscious. Had to quite literally carry him home.
I met contacts who would eventually help me into a buyside trading seat at my first Christmas party. It's a chance to meet and mingle with people you don't normally talk to in a relaxed setting. Don't drink more than 2-3 beers (stay away from liquor) and just be open to conversations. Don't spend too long talking to one person, and shake as many hands as possible.
If you meet someone you connect well with, follow up with an email the next day. I happened to have met a Duke fan who happened to be the head of fixed income sales (I played bball against Duke in college) and met w/ him on the trading floor the next day.
Bottom line, just be social and have fun. But also treat it as a chance to meet and network.
Talk about normal people things with your colleagues and try to get to know them on an informal basis. Don't go in looking to advance your career. Always be one drink behind everyone else. Try to be fun.
You are better off being respectful but informal. Relationships are better developed around nonprofessional discussions in my experience. The more someone feels like your friend and less a professional acquaintance the more it will benefit you in the future. Treat this as an opportunity to get to know those you work with on a personal level. Learning about them on a personal level gives you future talking points and excuses for reaching out to them. I know at my junior level I most often try to avoid any work related discussion simply to maintain my sanity; I cannot imagine how much more senior level individuals truly don't care to talk about such. Have fun.
Your approach depends on your personality- for some its best lay low on the booze and talk to the other guys standing with their hands in their pockets. If you have a solid social aptitude level- converse with people about anything outside of work. Golf, sports, where you grew up- whatever you deem has the highest chance of creating common ground and a connection/relationship with the person.
Biggest mistake I've seen is kids bragging- no one gives a shit who your parents are unless your last name is frequently mentioned in the WSJ.
Should be pretty common sense- if you're over 21 you should know how to act in a social setting.
This is your opportunity to prove to senior management that you ain't the beta intern in the crew.
Immediately get shots for all of your direct bosses. They'll love your confidence
Bring some blow, you'll become real popular
The best thing I learned for these parties: look at it as a way to make new friends, and have a good time.
Don't move around with your entire group of work friends. Walk around with 1, and meet new people. As you disengage with one group, you'll naturally find your other work friends hanging around whom you can go, catch-up, and if you're an introvert / shy, "refresh" with someone you already know.
For new people, repeat the names of those you'll like to meet again when you excuse yourself, and repeat your own name too as you shake hands.
A warning on the alcohol - If you don't know your tolerance, I recall a rule that went something like 2/3 water per 1/3 drink. If you do know your tolerance, stay well below it. A guy higher up at a well-known firm got drunk, touchy, and got served his pink slip after getting spending the night in jail. Firms are trying to minimize negative news/legal problems.
So all in, make new friends, see current ones, and watch out for the alcohol. Have fun!
Get drunk & try to hook up with any girl, your junior bosses will love to see you know how to party
Reprehenderit dolores molestiae maiores beatae. Sit incidunt quis vel laudantium maxime. Debitis voluptates laudantium et aperiam. Culpa nemo et provident amet similique quidem earum.
Et odio sequi officia et veniam perspiciatis temporibus. Et facilis voluptatem ipsam id accusamus corporis libero.
Sint accusantium et et qui. Sunt adipisci rerum voluptatem molestias iusto ad ex nemo. Aperiam corporis vero id qui nisi rerum incidunt.
Expedita enim rerum illo rerum ipsa dolorem omnis. Et qui recusandae iusto. Quas debitis magni fuga quam. Quos labore est non. Qui consequatur perferendis doloribus magnam eum molestiae est enim. Sint enim tempore est ullam nemo ullam in.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...
Qui aspernatur officiis dolorum eligendi enim. Aperiam iste id assumenda voluptate dolores hic. Quia totam autem vel hic ut ut nisi. Molestias quos sit id omnis non. Itaque exercitationem excepturi molestiae velit.
Provident ipsam qui omnis itaque et et. Incidunt natus animi inventore distinctio consequatur. Quasi fugiat aut sit dolorum quibusdam numquam. Exercitationem error totam nemo voluptatem. Quidem vel qui enim delectus eveniet vero.