‘May the force be with you’ - It’s an iconic expression from one of the most well-known film franchises of all time. George Lucas’ intergalactic tale, aptly named Star Wars, has enjoyed phenomenal success since its release back in May, 1977, with new films and franchises still being created today. 

Once a year, May 4th sees Star Wars fans worldwide celebrate ‘Star Wars Day’. So, in the spirit of all things Star Wars, we reflect on some famous characters’ wise words, looking at how recruiters can go from Padawans (an apprentice for those of you unfamiliar with the stories) to recruiting Jedi Masters.

1. ‘Try not. Do…or do not. There is no try’ - Yoda

Undeniably one of his most memorable quotes, this bolt of wisdom sees Yoda teaching his trainee, Luke Skywalker, to focus fully on the present. This reminder to commit fully to something, win or lose is a vital trait for a successful recruiter. Recruitment can be an extremely difficult career and to ‘try’ suggests a belief in the possibility of failure. Motivation, enthusiasm and self-belief are key components of a great consultant and will set them apart from the competition. 

2. ‘But you can’t stop the change, any more than you can stop the suns from setting’ - Shmi Skywalker

Recruitment is an extremely fast-paced industry and it continues to change all the time. In order to provide true specialist consultancy, it’s crucial to add value and remain up-to-date with the ever-changing and evolving technical markets. Every recruiter faces high levels of competition, so staying ahead of the curve and truly understanding the changes and developments within a specialist market will allow you to remain at the forefront of your industry. As Shmi Skywalker put it so eloquently, change is inevitable…so embrace it. 

3. ‘Remember, concentrate on the moment…Use your instincts’ - Qui-Gon Jinn

Every client and candidate is different. Treating them as such allows recruiters to deliver the most engaging and enjoyable experience possible. Recruiters are directors in the recruitment process and, if managed correctly, this process can be extremely beneficial for everyone. By getting to know candidate drivers, motivations and ethical or moral objections, recruiters are in a perfect position to evaluate relevant jobs for the individual. 

A recruiter’s in-depth knowledge of the technical marketplace means that they can use their informed instinct to focus on placing individuals in roles that they may not have initially considered alone. It’s important to remember however, this process can’t work without integrity and professionalism. After all, recruitment is a business centred around people, not products. 

4. ‘The Force will be with you…Always!’ - Obi-Wan Kenobi

Recruitment is unpredictable by nature and all consultants must possess the resilience needed to overcome this and succeed. OK, so perhaps ‘the Force’ might not always be with you, but a great recruitment consultancy will have a strong Learning & Development department to provide you support, advice and key insights during the difficult times. For the recruiter, this support is invaluable, but more importantly for the client or candidate, being able to draw advice from the L&D ‘Force’ will mean that you have the benefit of a wealth of experience well beyond that of an individual recruiter.

At Austin Fraser, everything about the way we structure our business has the client or candidate at the heart. By developing best-in-class consultants with a comprehensive and experienced Learning and Development team, we can ensure they deliver nothing short of excellent, knowledgeable and efficient service. The path to becoming a recruiting Jedi Master is a difficult one, but the rewards can be great. So, in honour Star Wars day from us here at AF, ‘May the force be with you’.

Austin Fraser is an award winning, specialist IT and Engineering recruiter who specialise in sourcing specialists. It's our mission to break the perception of 'stereotypical recruiters' and demonstrate that recruitment, when done well, is an excellent and consultative process. 

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