Having worked as a recruiter for nearly a decade and having been a fan of The Simpsons for even longer, I always link my favorite quotes and episodes to my experiences as a professional. Below, I've compiled a list of some of my favorite and most frequently used Simpsons quotes and how they've served as important lessons, humbling reminders, and a source of brevity throughout my years in recruiting.

1. Teacher: "Do you know the multiplication tables? Long Division?" Bart: " I know of them. "

You mean JavaScript and Java aren't the same thing?! We can't all be software architects. If we had in-depth knowledge of some niche technical skill then we'd do the job ourselves and happily collect $100/hr. However, it is important to have a cursory knowledge of the skills you're recruiting for. Even a quick Wiki search can give you a better idea as to what you're looking for and allow you speak more intelligently about the position and skill set being discussed.

2. "I used to be with it but then they changed what it was. Now what I'm with isn't it and what's it seems weird and scary to me."

Be adaptable! Don't be Grandpa Simpson and get left behind. You don't have to be able to identify all of the faces that grace magazine covers in supermarket aisles but don't fall behind in your respective industry. As an IT recruiter my world changes quickly and it can be difficult to distinguish between short-lived fads and technologies that have staying power -- but it's important to stay abreast and at least be aware of potential changes coming down the road. Don't resist change, embrace it!

3. "Remember the time he ate my goldfish? And you said I never had a goldfish? Then why did I have the bowl Bart? Why did I have the bowl?!"

Be honest. Be ethical. Don't give anybody a reason to question your character. Bart was in a tough spot here because he was covering for his dog, but there's another lesson. Don't compromise your integrity for anybody -- not your colleague, boss, or company. No deal or transaction is worth tarnishing your reputation and if you work for an organization that's forcing you to behave in an ethically questionable manner then leave. I work in the 15th largest city in the US and it's still in many ways a very small town. If you burn somebody it's going to catch up to you so don't give people a reason to question your motives and always follow the golden rule.

4. "Trying is the first step towards failure."

Recruiting is not for the faint of heart. If you want to be successful in this game you can't be afraid to fail. Here's where I remind you that Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (three of the Greatest NBA Players of all time) have missed more shots than anybody else who played the sport (Kobe leads them all). During Ted Williams legendary season where he batted .406 he still failed nearly 60% of the time! Be prepared to fail but do not allow it to discourage you. You'll inevitably strike out but it's important to keep swinging away!

5. "I'm so hungry I could eat at Arby's."

This one could also be stated as, "The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry." I can't help but laugh when recruiting seminars preach the importance of planning out every hour of your day. Too many of a recruiters activities are dictated by things outside of their control. If you're running an active desk and dealing with new requirements, phone screens, client interviews, and hopefully offer letters it's impossible to dedicate a particular hour of the day strictly to emails, phone calls, or sourcing. And sometimes, when things are really hectic, you may be too busy to eat a proper lunch and find yourself relating to a starving child on a deserted island - so hungry you could eat Arby's.

6. "Son, if you really want something in this life, you have to work for it. Now quiet! They're about to announce the lottery numbers."

Sometimes, recruiters can get lucky. It's been my experience, however, that hard work has a lot more to do with success than good luck. Putting in the time to establish solid relationships, thoroughly vet candidates, and provide meaningful interview prep will result in far more wins than just crossing your fingers. When an offer does come in it's better to feel validated knowing it was hard work as opposed to dumb luck. Plus, hard work is repeatable and the results will hopefully continue. There's no blueprint for being lucky!

7. "I've always wondered if there was a god. And now I know. There is, and it's me."

This one is simply a caution against hubris. Let's say you're working hard AND getting lucky; a best case scenario. In these instances when the game seems easy and success is a given it's important not to become too prideful. The same way you can't allow failures to discourage you, you can't allow wins to inflate your ego. If you boast during hot streaks your coworkers will be quick to remind when things cool down. Recruiting can be cyclical so try to keep a level head during the peaks and the valleys.

8. "If something is hard to do, then it's not worth doing."

When a client or customer is asking for a candidate that possesses a combination of skills you've never even seen, don't despair! I don't think many recruiters are working on finding people to hold a sign outside of a store. If our clients could easily find people with the skills they come to us for, they wouldn't need us! The challenge in what we do provides job security. So, don't listen to Homer! Embrace the difficult search, qualify candidates, and remind the client why they need us by providing the rare talent they're so desperately seeking.

9. "Being popular is the most important thing in the world!"

When I first started recruiting I thought I could help everybody. I still want to but I know that I can't. As well as you may like a person or as compelling as their story may be, it doesn't mean you'll be able to work with them. Don't provide false hope where there is none. It's never an easy conversation to have and it definitely won't make you any friends, but if you know you'll never be able to successfully place a person, tell them. Do not waste your time or theirs. Coach them as best you can and wish them well.

10. "The most rewarding part was when they gave me my money."

I need to be careful here because there are so many rewarding parts to this job. As recruiters, we can literally change lives. It's fun to connect a special individual with an outstanding organization and watch them do amazing things with their career. Now, as fulfilling as that can be, it's not enough to make me get up earlier than I want everyday, deal with hectic commutes, poorly written job descriptions, shifting requirements, and a plethora of other frustrations that come along with the role. The thing that makes it all worth it is the money. If you're a recruiter (non-corporate) and you're not money motivated, you should probably change careers!