Recruiters work at just 78% of their capacity on average, with their time management habits leaving a lot to be desired, according to a Fast-Track survey.

The amount of time wasted on non-recruitment activity – such as personal phone calls, internet use or office conversations – was on average two-and-a-half hours per day – 28% of the working week.

Four out of 10 recruiters claimed to be working at 70% capacity or less and billed an average of £80,000 in the last six months.

“There is a clear correlation between how hard people are working and how much money they have billed and expect to bill,” said Mike Walmsley, co-founder of Recruitment Training Productions, which produces Fast-Track training videos and DVDs.