LONDON -- The annual office party is not a social event but a career opportunity, and people hoping to impress should bone up on trivia to ensure they are noticed, a London recruitment consultancy said Tuesday.
"Go armed with a human interest statistic, such as how many mince pies are consumed over Christmas -- you'll be remembered for it," says a tip list produced by Office Angels.
But it also warned against backstabbing and babbling inanities, and stressed that party-goers need to keep their guard up at all times.
"The mistake people can make is thinking it's a social event. It's not a social event. This is business. It's an opportunity to network and to further your career," said Paul Jacobs, the firm's communications director.
The tip sheet was drawn up after a survey showing that 76 percent of workers dread the office party -- and particularly getting trapped talking about the weather with the boss.
