在面试中，当被问到「Tell Me About a Time You Failed」这样的问题时，如何回答可能是个难题。面试官之所以问这个问题，并不是在为难你，而是希望借此了解你的成熟程度、坚韧性、个性、学习愿望以及接受批评的态度。这些特质在简历和求职信上是看不出来的，而且求职者自己一般也不会主动谈及。
但这并不意味着你应该把最糟糕的错误毫无保留地分享出来。那么，如何在坦诚回答和避免不利影响之间找到平衡点呢？本文将介绍一些技巧和注意事项。
如何准备
1 、慎重选择
在挑选要分享的失败案例时，一定要深思熟虑。思考这个经历的结果，以及它是否有助于你获得这份工作的机会。
选择一个能够凸显你的关键特质的故事，这些特质应该与你正在申请的职位相关。例如，如果这个职位要求快速思考和适应变化，那么你可以分享一个在快速变化的环境中挣扎、并最终学到宝贵教训的经历。
同时，在挑选案例时，避免那些可能显示出你做出糟糕决策、或是对工作环境有偏见的案例。相反，选择能展示你具有自我意识、愿意接受建议并能从错误中学习的经历。
2 、事先演练
无论你准备得多么充分，这个问题有时仍会让你措手不及。但通过练习，你可以减少这种情况的发生。模拟面试是一种很好的练习方式。
找一个朋友或家庭成员，让他们扮演面试官的角色。向他们讲述你准备的答案，请他们提出问题，你则需要及时而简洁地回答。此外，确保模拟练习尽可能地贴近真实面试的场景。
这样的演练过程可以提升你的自信心，让你在实际面试中更容易回想起准备好的故事和要点。
3 、征求反馈
在经历失败之后，要客观地进行自我评估并不容易。为了准确地了解自己的不足及失败的真实影响，如果可以，选择一个因你的错误决策而受到影响的同事，征求他们对这次失败的真实看法。
这样做可以帮助你更深入地理解自己对这个问题的认知，并在面试中更准确地突出事件的关键点。此外，他人的反馈还能让你从不同的角度看待问题。在这种交流中获得的洞见，在面试时可能会成为你的加分项。
如何作答
1 、关注「学到了什么」
招聘人员其实更关心的是你从失败中学到了什么，以及你如何将这些洞察转化为具体的解决方案，而不仅仅是你的失败故事本身。因此，在选择要分享的故事时，应重视这些反思和洞察。
在寻找案例时，不要直接从失败出发，而是从那些关于启示、领悟、调整和改进的时刻开始，这些关键时刻可以组织成一个故事，按时间顺序展示为一次「失败的经历」。
例如，你可以借鉴下面的话术：
三年前，我们在执行【项目 A】时，发现结果未达到预期目标。虽然当时看起来似乎没有成功，但我们将其视为改进的机会。之后，我们进行了彻底的分析，发现【B 策略】可能更有效。于是，我们开始实施这个策略，并且在【C 方面】取得了显著进展。
Three years ago, we were doing A, but realized the result fell short of the goal. Things were just not working. Many saw it as a failure, but we also saw it as an opportunity to improve, so we did a thorough analysis and realized that B was a better tactic. We activated it, and now we’re seeing a greater C.
这里的「失败」很快就被解决方案所取代——「虽然许多人认为这是一次失败，但我们也视其为改进的机会」，没有让失败及其影响持续存在，以避免损害你的形象。强调改正措施，并使之成为焦点。
此外，要清楚「学习/领悟」与「修正/改进」之间的区别。成功的转变并非神奇地从失败直接跳跃到解决方案，而是通过学习和领悟这一关键步骤实现的，它推动了后续的改进。
2 、选择「误判」类的案例
在面试中，讲述简单的错误可能会被看作个人缺陷，而「误判」则更可能引出有价值的调整。在寻找案例时，关注那些未按计划进行的事件、策略的失效或方法未达预期目标的情况。这些情况更有可能产生重要的调整，且不会被看作是个人缺陷。
例如：
项目开始时，我们对客户群做了假设。但当第一阶段没能按计划进行时，我们意识到我们误判了客户的需求。为解决这一问题，我们进行了焦点小组测试，以确保我们的活动符合目标受众的理解。我至今仍记得这一教训。
When we started the project, we made assumptions about what our customer base already knew. But when the first phase didn’t go as planned, it became clear that we misjudged their awareness. To correct that problem, we conducted focus group testing before the next phase to ensure our campaign matched the understandings of the audience we were targeting, and I carry that lesson with me today.
3 、不过分强调「失败」
在回答中提及失败是恰当的，但之后可以用「结果」、「事件」或「后果」这样的中性词汇来减轻失败的负面冲击。
例如：
我们未能预见那个问题，但我们仔细审视了那个事件，并采取措施避免未来发生类似的结果。
Our failure to foresee that problem compelled us to examine that event (not “error” or “mistake”) closely and take measures to avoid that result (not “failure”) in the future.
4 、「我们」而非「我」
如果是团队共同的失败，看起来更可理解且更可原谅，而且可以强调你对团队合作的承诺。
例如：
- 「我没有意识到」可以变成「我们没有意识到……」」
“I didn’t realize” to “We didn’t realize…”- 「我没有预见到那个结果」可以变成「我们的团队没有预见到那个结果」
“I didn’t foresee that result” to “Our team didn’t foresee that result”
5 、强调「纠正措施」
可以分享后果较轻微的案例，但要着重描述「纠正措施」。招聘人员更关心你的反应和行动，而非触发纠错行为的原因。
例如：
我们及时纠正了宣传册的错误，并且增加了重要的流程步骤——在发布新材料前进行多层次审查。
While we were able to correct the brochure in the next edition, we immediately added an important step to the process: instituting multiple levels of review before we publish new material.
我们差点失去这个账户，这本会是一个重大失败，但我们重新整合并重新设计了推销策略，更好地满足了客户的需求。
We nearly lost the account — which would have been a considerable failure — but we regrouped and reimagined the pitch to better match the client’s needs.
6 、简短描述「失败」
将失败经历视为描述的开端，而非描述的主体。对开端的描述要简洁，不要反复强调。可以借鉴下面的话术：
发生了【事件 A】，产生了【结果 B】，但我们从中学到了【经验 C】，并应用了【措施 D】。
7 、不为失败辩护
在描述失败后，避免辩护、合理化或最小化，谈话的重点放在学习、修正和提升。讲述一个能够展现你致力于改进的故事，失败只是一个小插曲，而非故事的核心焦点。
例如，避免以下辩护式回应：
- 这并没有让我们退步太多，但很多人过度反应。
It didn’t set us back that much, but many people overreacted.- 我从一开始就是对的——他们只是没有看到。
I was right all along — they just didn’t see it.- 我的错误实际上从长远来看是有益的，因为……
My mistake was actually beneficial in the long run because…
8 、使用「失败」的替代词
学习各种词汇来表示一个人如何从失败中学习并克服它。熟悉这些词汇以避免听起来重复。
在谈论学习时，可以使用如下词汇：
- 学到了 Learned
- 领悟到 Gleaned
- 获得了洞察力 Gained insight
- 意识到 Realized
- 理解 Understood
在谈论学习时，可以使用如下词汇：
- 克服 Overcame
- 改进 Improved
- 提升 Elevated
- 纠正 Corrected
在谈论重新构想挑战时，可以使用如下词汇：
- 重新校准 Recalibrated
- 调整 Adjusted
中英回答范例
以下范例选自 indeed 、 themuse 和哈佛商业评论：
范例一：
在我负责处理客户索赔的工作中，曾因处理客户信息不当，导致公司面临客户的强烈不满。这个失误给团队带来了巨大压力，因为我们的核心任务是确保工作的准确和全面。
这次经历让我深刻意识到了责任的重要性。为了防止再犯类似错误，我与经理探讨并实施了更有效的工作策略。自那以后，我不仅避免了类似的错误，还能更好地跟踪我的工作进度。
My current job involves processing claims for our client. In this instance, I made an error regarding the client’s information, and as a result, the company received major pushback from the client. This put a lot of stress on my team in particular, as it is our responsibility to remain accurate and thorough.
The error was alarming, and our team suffered because of it. I was determined to not make a mistake like this again, so I spoke with my manager about work strategies I could implement to prevent an error like this from occurring again. Since then, I have not made task errors like this and can keep track of my work more efficiently.
范例二：
刚开始这份工作时，我因为拖延行为而影响了工作效率，没能达到预期的生产标准，给团队带来负担。在与经理的沟通中，我意识到这是因为对自身能力的不自信。
了解到原因后，我开始模仿团队成员的工作方法，并主动提问。经过两年的努力，我已经克服了拖延的问题，并通过定期复习培训资料来确保对工作职责的全面了解。
When I first started the position, I found myself falling behind on work due to procrastination. This affected my work, as I was not meeting production standards, making things harder for my team overall. After speaking with my manager, I realized that my procrastination was a symptom of my lack of confidence in my abilities in my role.
Upon discovering this, my manager and I decided it would be best if I shadowed other team members to watch how they work and ask questions. I have now been at the company for two years, no longer procrastinate, and regularly review training materials to remain current about my job functions.
范例三：
作为一个管理 10 人团队的负责人，我的任务之一是通知团队系统的更新。有一次，我在发送系统更新邮件时遗漏了一个关键细节，导致团队陷入混乱，并严重影响了我们的工作流程。
作为回应，我立即召开紧急会议澄清了更新的内容，并向团队道歉，承诺由于我的疏忽造成的任何问题都不会对他们产生负面影响。此外，我鼓励团队成员在有疑问或担忧时随时与我面对面交流，以增强沟通的有效性。
I manage a team of 10 people in our department. It is my job to inform the team of system updates via meetings and emails. In one instance, I sent an email about a system update but forgot to include a key detail. Because of this, the team was confused, and the department endured several hours of back-and-forth conversation through email and instant message. Because of this, our harmony and workflow were disrupted.
As the leader of this team, I called an emergency meeting to clarify the changes made. I also apologized to my team for the error, ensured any errors made due to mine would not be counted against them and promised to update everyone accurately moving forward. I also let the team know that if they have any other questions or concerns, they can observe my open door policy and express their thoughts with me in person.
范例四：
对我而言，只要我觉得自己提交的工作本可以在分配的资源下做得更好，我就会认为这是一次失败。在大学三年级的一个工程课项目中，我们的任务是制作一个小型气垫船，每个团队都有 300 美元的材料预算，并可使用工程学院的材料库。我负责构建气垫船，包括材料的订购。我迅速制定了材料清单并在线订购，但由于成本过高，不得不在设计中削减一些部分。
当我看到其他团队的气垫船时，我发现他们使用的材料比我们的要多。我意识到，如果我在列出清单之前检查了储藏室，并在购买前对价格进行比较，我们团队本可以节约很多成本。尽管团队其他成员都完成了各自的任务，但我认为自己本可以做得更好。我向教授发送了邮件，承担了项目表现不佳的责任。虽然我的项目成绩比小组其他成员低，但我庆幸没有影响到他们。
这次经历教会了我，在使用任何分配资源之前要深思熟虑，确保明智地利用它们，并在购买任何东西之前进行比价——无论是在工作还是日常生活中。
To me, I’ve failed any time I turn in work that I feel I could have done better with the resources allotted. One time, in my junior year of college, the final for an engineering class was to build a small, functioning hovercraft. Each team was given $300 for supplies as well as access to the engineering school’s supply storage. I was responsible for the construction of the hovercraft, including ordering any needed supplies. I quickly made a list of supplies we needed and ordered them online. Unfortunately, getting everything on my list was too expensive so I cut a few components from our design.
When I saw other teams constructing their hovercrafts, they had way more supplies than we did. I realized that if I had checked the supply storage before making my list and taken the time to look around for better prices instead of taking the first thing I saw online, I could’ve saved significantly. The rest of my team did a great job on their parts, but I knew I could’ve done better. I emailed my professor directly to take responsibility for our hovercraft’s underperformance. I ended up with a lower grade on the project than the rest of my group, but I’m glad I didn’t bring them down.
I learned to always take my time before using any resources I’m given to make sure that I’m using them wisely, and never make a purchase before shopping around a bit—both in work and outside of it.
范例五：
对我而言，失败是在没有尝试过所有方法之前就放弃。在我担任电子邮件营销助理期间，公司设定了一些挑战性很强的新 KPI，包括每季度至少使邮件通讯的订阅人数增长 25% 。
最初，我对这个目标感到非常震惊，甚至怀疑其可行性，因此我没有采取特别的行动来实现它，而是专注于其他 KPI 。大约一个月后，老板询问了我的进展。面对我的停滞不前，她要求我在第二天结束前提出三个增加订阅者数量的想法。我们一起讨论了这些想法及其实施方法，从而产生了更多的策略。尽管我由于起步晚而只实现了 12% 的增长，未能达到那个季度的目标，但在下一个季度，我通过尝试新方法成功实现了 26% 的增长。
这次经历教会了我，面对看似艰巨的任务时，不应该轻言放弃，而应该尝试分解任务或寻求帮助。这个经历让我变得更加认真和高效，特别是在追求具有挑战性的新目标时。
To me, failure is when you give up without trying everything you reasonably can. When I was an email marketing associate, my company rolled out some new KPIs that were fairly aggressive, including that all email newsletters should be growing their subscriber lists at a rate of 25% per quarter.
I was floored. It felt like too much to ask for, and I had no idea how to get it done. So I continued to focus primarily on my other KPIs. After about a month, my boss asked how my numbers were looking. I admitted they were about the same and I hadn’t done anything differently. I could tell she was upset. She immediately tasked me with coming up with three possible ideas to grow the subscriber list and sending them to her by the end of the next day. It didn’t matter how small or basic or out there they were, she just wanted to see a list.
Then, we talked through each of my ideas and how to accomplish them and came up with more. I ended up implementing a few, but starting so far into the quarter, I only saw growth of 12%, so I failed to meet the goal. But by continuing to try new things the next quarter, I was able to grow my list by 26%.
I learned that if something feels too big, I should never ignore it and instead try to break it down or reach out for help. This early experience turned me into someone who is super conscientious and effective when it comes to pursuing new goals—the more challenging, the better.
范例六：
去年，我们团队负责引入并快速推出公司的新云端内部文件系统。然而，当员工开始使用时，我们发现他们在操作上遇到困难，这让我们意识到我们忽略了他们的学习曲线。
为了解决这个问题，我们与内部沟通团队合作，为全公司员工开展了一系列教育活动，包括制作操作教学视频、设置与 IT 人员的问答环节，以及创建一个专门的求助邮箱。
虽然我对最初没有将用户教育纳入推广计划感到后悔，但这次经历让我们汲取了宝贵教训。现在，在推出所有新产品时，我们都把用户教育放在首位。结果是，现在有 95% 的员工每天都在使用这个云平台，这不仅提高了工作效率，还增强了文件的安全性。
Last year, my team introduced a new cloud-based internal filing system to the company and launched it as quickly as possible. But when the staff reported errors and frustrations using it, we realized that we hadn’t taken their learning curve into consideration.
So, we met and worked with our internal communications team to develop a company-wide education campaign, including how-to videos, Q&A opportunities with IT staff, and a dedicated email address for help.
I regret we didn’t make this part of our roll-out plan, but we worked very hard to learn from what happened and now prioritize user education with all product roll outs. Today, 95% of our staff use the cloud platform daily, which means more efficiency and greater safety for our files.
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