Having trouble making your mark at work? Not having any luck making a good impression on your superiors and co-workers? Tired of seeing hot girls at the workplace with no opportunity to make an introduction? Look no further; worry not; you've got an unlikely second chance to show your suave coming up. Your company's holiday party could socio-politically make you or break you.

Disregard whatever notion you have that going to the office party is for dorks. Don't listen to the ex-frat boys and armchair quarterbacks who have been there for five years and are going nowhere, because missing out on the one mandatory mingling opportunity can be your biggest mistake.

That's right - whatever frumpy, bright-colored lipstick-wearing cat-a-holic who sent out the memo asking for an RSVP "if you can make it" is pulling your chain. If you know what's good for you, and you want to get anywhere with your company, or in life, then you'll make an appearance. Your bosses will be expecting you, if they know who you are, and if they don't, this is the only way to catch their attention and get on their list.

You should realize by now it's not what you know, it's who you know. So, if you feel like your hard work hasn't been paying off, you need to make somebody like you, so that maybe they'll start paying attention to what you're doing. The casual atmosphere of the office party is just the place to secure some much-needed airtime with the superiors.

Attitude, or lack thereof

Relaxed is the best way to go, but it's important to realize your appearance and subsequent actions are all simply strategy aimed to advance your interests. You have an agenda. Having that said, you must be careful what not to talk about.

As much as you want to sell yourself, you don't want to come off as a dick. Bragging is inappropriate, whether it's about work or your high school glory days. If there's something you have in common, it's good to speak your peace and see if it goes anywhere, but gloating will just make you look like a cutthroat or an ass-kisser.

Talking smack about anyone else in your office, no matter how nerdy, how bizarre, how goofy they are; this tactic will make you look untrustworthy. If you are sucking up and trying to make yourself look good, you're obviously in no position to bring anyone else down. You're not in the winner's circle, so you can't point fingers and laugh at the losers just yet.

You should just be natural and act like you're interested in making the workplace more friendly and comfortable. Kicking back and having a neutral atmosphere to hob-knob with your co-workers is the main reason for this kind of event. Seeing as anyone so pretentious to think they're above coming obviously won't be, you can look forward to mingling with mostly people who are in your shoes. You're sure to make a friend or two that you'll be able to have lunch with, or exchange awful emails with.

Choose your targets wisely

Of course, there are going to be the drunks, usually just one shining star out of the batch, and ass-kissers galore. People will be fake, showing a side you've never seen, then they'll revert right back to their old selves on Monday morning. It's to be expected, so just exchange greetings, meet their spouse, talk about how nice the decorations are, and move right back along to the people you want to be talking to. It's all about mobility.

The best kind of movement you can afford yourself is that with the attractive women of other departments. If you work for a huge company, and you only notice the delicate flowers on their cell phones in their cars, or with visitor groups in the lobby, or in the elevator, then this is the perfect opportunity to make an introduction. The age-old rule about dating at work goes out the window, because if they're not in your department or immediate office, than you never have to worry about things being weird because you never see them during the day.

There's no need to show off or be chintzy; if it won't work for your boss, it won't work for the woman you want to seduce. Lines don't work for you at bars or clubs, so what makes you think they'll work here? It's neither the time nor place, so you have to be smooth. Which means you can't try to be smooth. Just introduce yourself and make the same small talk you make with any other colleagues.

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One of the keys to attraction is coming off as unattracted. If you have any chance whatsoever, then they will want to know why you don't want them. An element of mystery is always good to spark the interest and keep it hanging. Don't ask for numbers unless the conversation is flowing in that direction, and going extremely well. Usually making an informal reference to seeing each other again and following-up before getting a number is the best bet. You don't want to make an ass of yourself and then inadvertently become the joke of the party.

If you are trying to go against the grain and date someone in your immediate work surroundings, the stakes are much higher. The odds are against you, but if you must be competitive and stubborn, then que sera sera. To tell you the truth, no matter how ballsy (read: stupid) you are, there's no point in trying if you don't know you're going to win. If you're not feeling the vibe, and she's not asking you lingerie advice, then abort! abort!

Yet, if you want to become more than just co-workers, then the office party is a good atmosphere to be more casual and "yourself," building a foundation for taking things to the next level. She may be looking forward to it as much as you. It's a perfect way to see if there is anything outside the office, as it were.

Don't make the mistake of attacking like a vulture, and drowning her the entire time. Trying too hard is especially bad here. You don't want to be like Vince Vaughn from Swingers either, and pretend you don't care. You've heard this a thousand times, but it rings true again and again. Just be yourself. It will take you a long way, and it will surely help you feel out the situation.

Cool the engines, Roger Ramjet

Lastly, if you are a super-champ, and say your party happens to be at a hotel (or not), don't test your awesomeness limits by trying to "take her home." Turning a wonderful evening into a one-night stand will probably get you a rush pass to that awkward place which pre-supposes the entire "don't date your co-workers" mantra. Be smart. Be yourself.

The holiday office party can be a wonderful experience or it can be a trainwreck; it depends on your attitude and actions. It's a great way to make yourself a better asset to your company in more ways than one. It can be your gateway to a better salary or a hotter girlfriend. No groveling necessary.