Credit: Getty
Careers
Working in a ‘fast-paced environment’ – why do so many job adverts use this vague and stressful phrase?
By Lauren Geall
3 years ago
2 min read
Despite the shift towards a calmer way of working during the pandemic, job adverts using the term ‘fast-paced environment’ are at an all-time high. But what does the term actually mean?
If you’ve ever spent an afternoon scrolling through the job pages of Indeed or LinkedIn, it’s likely you’ve come across the phrase ‘fast-paced environment’. As far as job adverts go, the phrase is as common as they come – alongside ‘dynamic’ and ‘proactive’, the concept of a ‘fast-paced environment’ has long reigned supreme in the world of recruitment.
But despite how ubiquitous a phrase it is, no one really seems to know what it means. To some, a fast-paced environment simply describes a busy, exciting workplace with lots of opportunities for growth. Whereas for others, it suggests that the role will require you to get things done under extreme time pressure. So, what does a fast-paced environment really mean? And why is it so commonly used?
The answer is a complicated one. As with most words and phrases, the definition of a fast-paced environment has changed in line with the way we think – something that’s happened a lot when it comes to our work over the last two years.
Sign up for the latest news and must-read features from Stylist, so you don’t miss out on the conversation.
By signing up you agree to occasionally receive offers and promotions from Stylist. Newsletters may contain online ads and content funded by carefully selected partners. Don’t worry, we’ll never share or sell your data. You can opt-out at any time. For more information read Stylist’s Privacy Policy
Thank you!
You’re now subscribed to all our newsletters. You can manage your subscriptions at any time from an email or from a MyStylist account.