The one dreaded¹ question that is guaranteed to come up in every interview is "What is your greatest weakness?" Perhaps it's the interviewer's way of weeding out candidates to see who is truly prepared to answer this uncomfortable question. Regardless, you can remove some of the awkwardness by prepping for the question and following these rules.

每次面试中肯定会出现的可怕问题是“你最大的缺点是什么？”也许这是面试官淘汰应聘者的方式，他们想看看谁真正为这个不友善的问题做了准备。无论如何，你可以通过准备答案，并遵循下面的方法免去部分尴尬。

1. Don't give a cop-out answer

1. 不要回避问题

Please don't give tired answers like, "My greatest weakness is that I'm too much of a perfectionist/workaholic." Perhaps it is true for you, but unfortunately, it may bring false to the interviewer who is used to hearing these generic² answers that come off as a way to dodge³ the question.

请不要给千篇一律的回答，比如：“我最大的缺点是过于追求完美/工作太拼命。”也许这是真实回答，但不幸的是，它会给面试官错误信息，他们习惯了听这些通用回答，会以为你想回避这个问题。

2. Be honest

2. 要诚实

Dig deep into yourself and figure out what your true weaknesses are at work. Write them down on a sheet of paper, and figure out which ones you can use in an interview. If you state a weakness you've struggled with, your answer will sound more honest. Some things that will help you come up with true weaknesses is to look at some of the challenges you have faced in your previous jobs or think about constructive⁴ criticism you've received from a manager.

深入挖掘自己，找到真正的缺点。把它们写在纸上，看看哪些可以在面试的时候说。如果你说的是让你烦扰的缺点，听上去会更诚实。回想你在以前工作中遇到的困难，或是经理对你的有用批评，这样你能想起真正的缺点。

3. Avoid deal breakers

3. 不要说会影响面试的缺点

Although we mention that you should be honest, it's also good to remember that there is such a thing as being too honest. You need to avoid weaknesses that will hurt your chances of getting the job. For example, say if you're applying for an HR position and you say that you're not good with people, or if you're trying for a sales job and you say you are bad at negotiating. This doesn't mean that you have to make up a weakness, but it's just preferable for you to pick another weakness that isn't a deal breaker.

虽然我们刚才提到你应该诚实，但也要记住别太诚实。你要避开那些会影响你得到工作的缺点。例如，申请人力资源的职位却说不善于与人相处，或者想做销售却说不擅协商。不是让你一定要编缺点，但是挑个不会影响面试的缺点会好一些。

4. Talk about your attempts to overcome your weakness

4. 要谈到你为克服缺点做的努力

Always talk about the steps you have taken to overcome your weakness. This is your chance to show the interviewer that although you have your flaws, you are proactive and resourceful enough to overcome them. In a way, your effort to conquer your weaknesses will be looked at as a strength.

要说你为克服缺点做的事。这是你向面试官证明的机会，让他们知道虽然你有缺点，但你会主动克服缺点，也有办法克服它们。在某种程度上，你为克服缺点做的努力会被视作优点。