Season’s Greetings

• If you were a 2008 summer intern or associate, reconnect with prospective employers by sending holiday cards to office workers with whom you worked earlier this year. Write a personal note on each card.  Thank support staff for their help throughout the previous summer and, to senior employees, express a continued interest in working with the organization. 
• If you are a new professional, consider giving a small personal gift to your assistant. This need not be an extravagant purchase. In fact, a purchase price of around $20 should be just about right. What’s important is that you demonstrate that you thought about the recipient and their interests. So, for example, if your assistant can’t get by without several morning jolts of caffeine, consider a gift card from your local coffee shop placed in a lovely mug.
• If your office is holding a holiday party, make every effort to attend. This is a great opportunity for you to connect with fellow employees. At the big event, seek out every more senior employee with whom you have worked and express your appreciation for the time they have spent with you and the opportunities they have extended to you. If clients have been invited to the party, reach out to those with whom you have interacted.
• At an office holiday party, never forget that the gathering is still a business event. Wear office-appropriate clothing and at all times display office-appropriate behavior. Keep consumption of alcohol to a minimum. 
• Understand that with the economic downturn, lots of employers will scale back on holiday entertaining. Don’t complain about this. Instead, express your appreciation for the opportunity to get together with fellow employees.

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Because so many summer associate and internship programs have been significantly curtailed, the students who will participate in these shortened programs must avoid unforced errors. Like never before, summer hires will have very few opportunities to demonstrate their capabilities. How they handle one or two assignments will create critically important impressions.

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