AIBU to wonder whether anyone really truthfully want to work in a ‘fast paced environment’?

[DimebagDarrell]

I guess with the caveat of doctors working in emergency medicine, broadcast journalists etc whose jobs by definition are going to be fast paced.

But I’m talking more about your standard office type role - ‘emails, writing reports and meetings’ kind of jobs. I’m looking for a new role and virtually every job ad highlights being able to thrive in a fast paced environment. From my 15 years in various workplaces (charities, civil service, universities) I can honestly say I’ve met very few people who enjoy a fast paced work environment. Yes we all have a really busy day now and then and it’s fine, but surely no one actively wants to be constantly inundated with conflicting priorities and hundreds of emails!

So why is there this pretence where I have to pretend I like and thrive in a fast paced workplace? And where the people interviewing me about working well in a fast paced environment probably don’t even want to be in one themselves.

To me the phrase ‘fast paced workplace’ just sounds like a euphemism for a very heavy workload, unrealistic deadlines, competing priorities etc. And not being able to do anything to a decent standard as there’s so much else to do.

So, is it just me who’s constantly pretending that a fast paced work environment is absolutely fine for me, when I actually hate it! Or are there people out there who genuinely enjoy this type of workplace?

I work in a fast paced, dynamic role (though no-one will die if I don't show up, it could sink a big sale or deal) . I'd still run a fucking mile from a company that said that in a job interview, as most managers I've worked for who think that they are in that position, have just been generally disorganized and have a toxic, reactive corporate culture.

Also work hard/play hard. Yikes. I read that as "We'll work you all the hours, won't give you overtime, but it's ok, 'cos we'll make you go out for beers after, and whine if you want a life outside of the office"

It depends on why its fast paced. If it's just 'oh the shit hits the fan everyday and we run around like headless chickens and never have time to fix actual problems' then no, thats not for me.

If it means busy and varied and I get to use different skills and, maybe, even get to jump roles back and forth then I love it.

@senua Completely agree - the opposite of fast paced is not monotonous and boring. My current role includes a wide variety of tasks, working with a range of people and a good mix of challenging and less-challenging work. I get to use my brain and work with academics on interesting intellectual topics.

And yes to running a mile from ‘word hard, play hard’. As well as indicating no work life balance the phrase just makes me think that unless you’re 25 years old and love getting drunk, it’s not the workplace for you.

Fast-paced = unrealistic expectations and targets.

No thanks, never again.

I work in retail, and like it because of the fast pace. I have ADHD and really struggle in office environments where planning and organisation are key, but give me 10 different people all wanting different things at the same time and I have to keep them all happy NOW, and I'm in my element.

I'm another one with ADHD who genuinely does best with a fast paced workplace. Understaffed or disorganised isn't necessarily the same thing - some jobs, even desk jobs, have to react to situations as they arise however well-run the organisation might be.

I think the same as you, OP, I think 'fast paced' is code for 'under-resourced and understaffed'.

Yeah, this is my problem with it too.

I actually prefer a fairly fast paced environment ie busy, varied, lots of interesting things. But seeing that in a job description would make me wonder if what they actually mean is we don't have enough staff.

I love working in a fast paced environment. My work might stop at 5pm but my job certainly doesn’t. We have suppliers all over the world, I might come in after the weekend to over 200 emails. I can come back in after finishing the night before and shit can really have hit the fan between 5pm-9am.

My job in itself, is fast pace. Lots of things going on at once, you never stop. I really enjoy it. However, I am a bit suspicious of job descriptions that describe themselves as fast paced. I know it’s fast paced, anyone qualified for the role will know this. Stating that the environment is fast paced makes me think they have high staff turnover.

Maybe when I was younger but I am 60 now. Just the phrase 'fast paced environment' makes me feel anxious. I am so done with all that

I think sometimes it may be due to lazy cut'n'pasting.
I get that hospitality, say, may want fast-paced Front of House but if you are advertising for payroll, stock-ordering, Health&Safety, etc in the same company then you do not want fast-paced, you want thorough and accurate.
The company ethos may be fast-paced but not all jobs within the company are, so temper the advertisement according.

I did really like a "fast paced working environment" in my 20s and 30s - but I am a journalist, although not a broadcast one, and that was an area you singled out in the OP. I like that things moved quickly, that most work was "in the moment", that the work you did today was tomorrow's fish and chips paper.

Even though I am more features based now and work from home I still slightly hanker after working in such a busy and humming environment although I suspect nowadays it doesn't feel like that so much as most communication is done by email.

After years of office work in the NHS, my take on fast paced environment is that they want one person to do the work of three or four. I am fast but it was impossible to keep on top of the work expected and we were constantly moaned at for things not being done.

@DimebagDarrell

Thanks for the replies everyone. It’s really interesting to see the range of views, and that for quite a few people a fast paced environment is exactly what they need.

I think it has confirmed my suspicion though that jobs advertised in my kind of areas as fast paced (charities, civil service, higher education) are probably only fast paced if they’re badly organised or understaffed, or both. Unlike some sectors that are genuinely fast paced as that’s the nature of the work. As someone said above - it’s horses for courses

Again I think this is role dependant. There are some roles in these sectors that are fast paced, fun, and highly paid as a result. I know someone who is responsible for managing their LA’s long term debt. Their role is not dissimilar to an investment banker.

Ex a&e nurse here! Love fast paced and chaotic working. I had to leave because of the shifts and I'm currently changing jobs because I'm not challenged or busy enough where I am. We have periods of time where shit hits the fan and I absolutely thrive on it so I'm moving to find more of that without the crazy shift pattern!

Yes I like a fast paced team- we have on duty / front assessments for crisis work and the longer term work which can be lovely but also can drag you with complex medical issues.

So it's not about experience or niqivity or poor organisation, it's about scope of the work in that particular team. Responding to emergencies with how clear the start and end is, before handing over work, is very satisfying sometimes