🚩 Spot The Red Flag: Fast-Paced Environment

If a job description says "fast-paced environment," it's probably not just busy. It's a warning you may be stepping into chaos dressed up as energy.

Some roles do require thinking on your feet. A system failed, a client changed direction last minute, or there’s a legitimate emergency. Generally those jobs aren’t the administrative professional role. Think ER nurse, software developer, salesperson.

But if the job description says you’re expected to “thrive in a fast-paced environment", it is probably worth pausing and getting more information.

As an admin, it’s your job to bring order, not run headlong into chaos all day. When systems and operations are working, admins keep things running. Smoothly and efficiently: quickly without the chaos.

"Fast-paced" often means things are urgent all the time. You’ll likely be asked to figure out how to prioritize tasks in a timely manner from multiple people. This is a strong indicator that the team doesn't plan ahead properly. They don't communicate as well as they could and possibly expect you to read minds or understand their personal shorthand (which is a great skill to develop over time but not so fun when you’re starting out).

Tasks may come to you with last minute deadlines. Because the person handing them over to you waited too long or had no idea how long they would actually take. You're almost certainly going to be expected to juggle without dropping anything.

It's also a convenient excuse for poor leadership. When expectations are vague, deadlines are tight, and priorities keep shifting, it’s entirely possible it’s due to leadership with chaotic work styles who have never learned discipline in their own work lives. Some admin professionals thrive in this type of setting as long as they can create a good rapport and establish new systems for leadership that make it easier for everyone all around. But are you going to be met with resistance if you take the job?

In my experience, employers who use the phrase “fast-paced environment” in the job description aren't looking for someone who works quickly. They're looking for someone who won't complain when the job is disorganized and will take on far more than the job description suggests.

That’s exhausting. It leaves no room for streamlining and working more efficiently which, arguably, should always be the goal when taking on a new administrative support role. Being asked to absorb chaos and run with it leaves you only time and energy to survive the day rather than figuring out a way to thrive and succeed.

Good leadership values preparation and organization. A good manager realizes that it’s not beneficial to them, the company, or the clients if their team is running ragged from one task to the next. They desire predictable systems to be in place like a well oiled machine. Reliable schedules are paramount. And enough breathing room to handle occasional surprises without derailing everything.

Which is not to say there should never be moments of chaos or fast-paced working. Of course things will come up unexpectedly from time to time. What I’m saying is, that shouldn’t be the norm for you as an admin.

If the job description is indicating that it will be, be sure you ask questions in your interview about it to be sure you’re not ignoring a glaring red flag.

Top 5 Questions to Ask When the Job Description Says “Fast-Paced Environment”

1. What does "fast-paced" actually mean with regard to the role?

2. What systems are already in place and, if there are none, is leadership open to suggestions for some?

3. When urgency is required, how are priorities communicated or are you to prioritize on your own?

4. Does the fast pace fluctuate with moments of down time to collect thoughts and streamline processes or is it non-stop?

5. What has made previous people in that role stand out as successful?

You can be a hard worker without tolerating dysfunction. You can be adaptable, hit the ground running some days, without being stretched thin. "Fast-paced" might sound like a positive, but it often hides a workplace that's disorganized, under poor leadership, and burnout waiting to happen.