Anyone that’s been in the workforce for a while knows it’s true: bad behavior at the office holiday party can affect your career.  In a new survey by The Creative Group, 92% of advertising and marketing executives believe how you act at an office party can affect your career – either positively or negatively.

How much can your behavior affect advancement possibilities?  Here’s what senior-level managers think:

• Greatly  -  44%
• Somewhat  -  48%
• Not At All  -  8%

So yes, your manager and other company bigwigs are watching how you behave at company holiday festivities.  While this proves how detrimental bad behavior can be, it also shows that if you handle things the right way you can make a good impression at these events.  Sometimes this is the only real face time employees get to mingle with corporate executives.  If that’s the case for you, take advantage of the opportunity to connect with executives and members of other departments that you may not usually see.

The Creative Group offers five tips for good holiday party behavior:

1. Show good manners:  RSVP if required, show up on time, thank your host
2. Bring good tidings:  Talk with a lot of people – not just your department
3. Avoid the Grinches:  Don’t spend too much time with the bah-humbug types
4. Be jolly, but not too jolly:  You already know this one – limit your alcohol intake so you’re not the main topic of conversation the next day
5. Wrap up on a high note:  Don’t be the first – or the last – to leave the party

Enjoy yourself, and be on your best behavior for professionally happy holidays!

For more tips, read our Holiday Etiquette 101 here.