No One Remembers How Fast You Did It. Only How Well.

This was the very first issue of my LinkedIn newsletter, Work Your Career, where I share practical, no fluff advice on job search, interviewing, networking, leadership and where hiring is headed.

A Car That Took Its Time

Tesla recently unveiled its new Roadster. The first prototype was shown back in 2017, and the redesigned version finally took the stage nearly nine years later, with production planned for 2028.

Whatever you think about cars, notice what people talked about after the reveal. They talked about what it could do. Nobody’s headline was “Took a While.” When the work finally shows up, the work is what gets remembered. That idea has stuck with me for my whole career: no one remembers how fast you did a thing, only how well.

Why This Matters in Your Job Search

When you’re looking for your next role, speed feels like everything. Apply to 50 jobs tonight. Fire off the same resume everywhere. Say yes to the first interview slot even if you haven’t researched the company.

I get it. Waiting is hard. But here’s what I’ve seen over three decades on the hiring side of the desk: the candidates who win are rarely the fastest. They’re the most prepared. A hiring manager will never say, “I loved how quickly they applied.” They will say, “That person really understood what we need.”

Four Ways to Choose Well Over Fast

Tailor, don’t blast. One thoughtful application that speaks directly to the role beats ten generic ones. Mirror the language of the job description and show how your experience solves their specific problem.
Prepare for the interview like it’s the main event. Because it is. Research the company, the team and the person you’re meeting. Have three or four short stories ready that show results, and practice them out loud.
Network with intention. Sending 200 people the same message is fast. Reconnecting with 10 people in a genuine, personal way is how doors actually open. Ask how they’re doing before you ask for anything.
Follow up with care. A specific thank you note sent within a day, one that references something you actually discussed, gets remembered. A copy and paste note gets forgotten.

This Works on the Job, Too

The colleague who turns in a report an hour early with errors is remembered for the errors. The one who takes the extra time to get it right is remembered as someone you can count on. Leaders notice that, and so do the people who decide promotions. Speed still matters and deadlines are real, but aim for timely and excellent, not rushed and forgettable.

Your Challenge This Week

Pick one thing in your career you’ve been rushing: an application, your LinkedIn profile, a networking message or a project at work. Slow down and make it truly good. Then notice the difference in the response you get.

And for a quick, upbeat look at the headlines, join me on The Top Five News Show, weeknights at 5 PM ET. Over 3.3 million viewers watched it in the last year.

This article first ran on my LinkedIn in October 2026. You can read the original, and follow me for more, here: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/one-remembers-how-fast-you-did-only-well-joe-pelayo-iqeqc.

I’m Joe Pelayo, an executive recruiter for 40 years and founder of Joseph Michaels International here in Dallas. We recruit for roles with base pay from 75K to 2 million, and one call to me reaches our network of 700 recruiters. Right now we have 1,633 open jobs.

Let’s Talk

Ready to do your next move well, not just fast? Let’s talk.

Call me at 1-800-786-1099 or email info@josephmichaels.com.

Joseph Michaels International, 13355 Noel Road Suite 1360, Dallas, TX 75240