What is a fast-paced work environment? 

Knowing whether your workplace is a fast-paced environment is the first step in determining whether you need these skills in your applicants. A fast-paced work environment is one where workflows change or evolve rapidly, requiring employees to pivot quickly in response. Adapting to changing deadlines, handling unpredictable circumstances with customer relations and managing multiple teams of people simultaneously are scenarios that reflect a fast-paced environment. 

Examples of workplaces that are typically described as fast-paced include:

• Restaurant/Service Industry  
• Emergency Services  
• Journalism  
• Healthcare  

Skills to look for when hiring for a fast-paced environment

To successfully bring together a team that excels in a fast-paced workplace, it’s critical for employers to understand the skills that lend themselves to this kind of environment. Screening for these skills in the application and interview process helps bring forward the candidates who are best suited to the rapid pace of your industry. Include these skills in your job posting and ask relevant interview questions to determine whether applicants can deliver in these areas. 

1. Strong communication skills

In a fast-paced work environment, exceptional communication skills are key. Your employees must be able to communicate with clients, each other and you regarding changes taking place in real time. Effective communication can boost productivity and improve employee relationships, contributing to a more enjoyable work experience and better results for the company. Employees with good communication skills may need to demonstrate their ability to verbally communicate with co-workers or to draft clear, concise emails in a timely manner. 

During the hiring process, ask candidates questions that encourage them to describe scenarios where they communicated effectively with coworkers in the past. For example:

• Tell me about a time when you overcame a challenge in the workplace. 
• What is your approach to delivering constructive feedback to your direct reports?  

2. Ability to multitask

Employees who are successful in a fast-paced work environment possess the ability to multitask. This is a soft skill that is difficult to learn, which is why candidates should already be skilled multitaskers at the time of hiring. An ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously or oversee a team of several people at once ensures nothing is overlooked and deadlines are met. Multitasking can be important on a grand scale, such as preparing reports for multiple deadlines on the same day. It can also be helpful on a smaller scale, such as responding to a customer complaint while submitting an order.

Understanding the scope of multitasking required in your workplace helps you determine whether candidates are a good fit for the role during the interview process. Interview questions to evaluate whether candidates can multitask include:

• Can you describe a time when you were responsible for multiple projects at one time? How did you prioritize your tasks? 
• Do you have any experience with multitasking?  

3. Time management

Individuals who are successful in fast-paced work environments have strong time management skills. They are capable of tracking deadlines, juggling changing schedules and using their allotted time effectively to maximize productivity.

To determine whether candidates possess the necessary time management skills, you can ask effective interview questions during both in-person and virtual interviews, such as: 

• How do you prioritize your workflow when reporting to multiple supervisors? 
• How much time per week/day do you spend or dedicate to (X) tasks? 

4. Adaptability

Employees in a fast-paced environment must be quick to adapt to changes thrown their way. Whether it’s an unexpected schedule change, an upset client that needs to be called immediately or an influx of work tasks to complete simultaneously, your staff must be able to evaluate the situation quickly and react accordingly. A candidate who is adaptable is unafraid of change, remains flexible and looks for solutions rather than focusing on problems.

Ask applicants how they respond to situations they have no control over to gauge their natural ability to adapt. For example: 

• Would you consider yourself open-minded? 
• Give me an example of a time something didn’t go as planned in the workplace. How did you respond? What was the outcome?  

5. Positive attitude 

A critical skill for an employee in a fast-paced work environment is having and maintaining a positive attitude, even in the face of adversity. People with a positive outlook are solution-oriented and encourage their coworkers, boosting team morale. Additionally, candidates with a positive attitude do not resent the unavoidable changes that occur when working in a fast-paced workplace. They embrace the sometimes chaotic environment and thrive on delivering favorable results in all circumstances.

There are a variety of interview questions you can ask to assess whether a candidate has a positive outlook and how they share that with people around them:

• Describe a time you faced a significant obstacle and how you overcame it. 
• If a coworker is lacking confidence, how do you motivate/encourage them?  

6. Working to a deadline

Individuals who work in a fast-paced environment must be able to work on tight deadlines. With a rapidly evolving workflow, it’s common for there to be a short timeline to deliver the final result. Whether that’s completing a project, submitting a report or delivering food to a table, candidates should be comfortable with rapid turnaround times for completing a task.

Interview questions to help determine whether candidates are experienced in meeting tight deadlines include: 

• Tell me about an urgent deadline you had to meet and how you delivered the desired results.  
• What is your process for completing a task with an urgent deadline? 

7. Goal setting 

Employees who excel in a fast-paced environment usually know how to set attainable goals. Incorporating SMART goals into the application and interview process helps you evaluate whether you’re hiring a candidate who understands the value of setting goals that are:

• Specific 
• Measurable 
• Attainable 
• Relevant 
• Time-based 

Ask applicants for examples of specific goals they have, how they determine the value and attainability of these goals and what steps they are taking toward meeting them. For example:

• Do you have plans to pursue any further education or training? 
• What are your career goals and how do you plan to achieve them? 
• Can you tell me about a time when you set a measurable, time-based goal and the steps you took to achieve it? 

8. Independence

Candidates for a fast-paced work environment should be motivated individuals who are self-starters. In the midst of a high-stakes situation where everyone is occupied, the employee must have the initiative to work independently. Under the intense pressure of a fast-paced workplace, a team member who doesn’t wait for direction but rather has the good judgment to take the necessary action without supervision is a valuable asset to your company. 

To determine whether applicants are self-starters, you can ask interview questions such as:

• Can you tell me about a project that you took from idea to deliverable? 
• What’s the first step you take when given a task with minimal direction or instructions?  

FAQs 

How do you lead a team in a fast-paced environment? 

Managing a team in a fast-paced work environment requires you to view changes as new opportunities and embrace them. Your team will look to you to set the tone for responding to unexpected situations and changing deadlines. Reward your team for their efficiency and encourage them to strive for better results continuously. 

How do I write a job posting about a fast-paced work environment? 

When drafting a job posting for a fast-paced work environment, it’s important to include this information to attract applicants who are capable of succeeding in the role. Words such as “high-productivity” and “dynamic workplace” communicate to job seekers that you’re searching for someone who is flexible, adaptable and capable of pivoting in rapidly evolving circumstances. Include the above skills you’re looking for in the job posting so you only encourage people to apply if they are capable of working in this type of high-pressure situation.