Time: The Most Misunderstood Metric in Recruitment

At David Kennedy Recruitment, we spend a lot of our days working against the clock—or at least, that’s how it feels. Tight deadlines, urgent hires, immediate needs. Time is the currency we all deal in, but we often forget how flexible and surprising it really is.

Let’s take a step back for a moment and consider time in a broader sense.

• The NHS has over 7 million people on waiting lists, some for more than 2-3 years.
• Meanwhile, it takes just 3 days to fly to the Moon.
• You can circle the Earth in a plane in just over 40 hours.
• A dedicated learner can master a language in 2,200–4,400 hours—less time than many of us spend binge-watching Netflix over a few years.
• And the Empire State Building? It took only 1 year and 45 days to build. One of the most iconic skyscrapers in the world—done faster than most of us finish a home renovation.

Now let's bring it back to recruitment.

We often hear, “It’s taking too long.” Yes, sometimes it takes 3–4 months to fill a niche role. Yes, a new hire might take 6–12 months to become fully profitable. But that’s still faster than building a hospital system, learning Mandarin, or launching into orbit.

The reality is: great things often take time—but not as much time as you think. With the right people, the right process, and the right mindset, what seems slow today becomes the rocket fuel for your growth tomorrow.

So the next time you are frustrated by timelines or waiting for the perfect candidate, remember: Some of the most impressive human achievements didn’t take decades. They just took the right focus.

At David Kennedy Recruitment, we believe in using time wisely—investing it, not just spending it. Because in recruitment, time isn’t your enemy—it’s your greatest strategic tool.