Well, it happened. Last Friday she received the call and was offered the "perfect job." (I thought I had that!) She's working for a recognized organization in downtown Chicago. Besides exposure to some really nice, smart people who work hard (my model for top talent), she'll be part of delivering a customer experience that reinforces the organization's brand. She's with a group that thrives on learning and innovation. What could be better for a recent college grad? I'm elated and proud of Maggie.

She's learned a lot this last year and it's all applicable to her new career.

• Persistence -- she kept on looking, knowing that opening one door would lead to other doors.
• Never give up -- ever.
• Patience -- sometimes you can't force things or make things happen on your timetable.
• Learning as a way of life -- she volunteered, researched, interviewed and wrote about her areas of interest... progressive not-for-profits and social entrepreneurship.
• Networking -- meeting new people, asking questions and following up.

Interestingly, these behaviors and characteristics will serve anyone well and probably will separate the successful candidate from the rest of the pack. They seem similar to my parents' advice. I must've listened and passed on these behaviors to Maggie.

Good advice is timeless!

Article by Melanie Holmes, Vice President of World of Work Solutions for Manpower, and courtesy of Manpower's Contemporary Working blog. Melanie shares Manpower's extensive knowledge while building strategic partnerships with government, universities and other leadership organizations across the country. She is also responsible for social responsibility at Manpower, which includes diversity, volunteerism, community involvement, community relations, philanthropy and workforce development.