The Power of a 2-Minute Interview Answer: Why Less is Often More 兩分鐘面試回答的力量：有時少即是多
Recently, I had the privilege of working with a seasoned professional from a leading company in Taiwan in job interview training. During our session, he was asked a question that often stumps even the most prepared candidates: “How do you define failure?”
His response was nothing short of brilliant.
He said, “I define failure as not delivering the quality I’ve promised my clients. In 20 years of my career, I’m fortunate that I’ve never let my clients down.”
Short, confident, and powerful. The entire answer was delivered in less than 20 seconds, yet it was packed with meaning. He communicated his high standards, his reliability, and his experience—all without saying too much. It was a textbook example of how less can be more in a job interview.
最近，我有機會幫一位台灣知名公司的資深專業人士做面試訓練。在訓練中，他被問到一個常常讓人卡住的問題：「你怎麼定義失敗？」
他的回答超有水準。
他說：「我覺得失敗就是沒有交付我承諾給客戶的品質。在我20年的職涯裡，我很幸運從來沒讓客戶失望過。」
簡短、充滿自信，而且有力道。他整個回答不到20秒，卻蘊含了很多意義。他展現了自己的高標準、可靠性、還有豐富的經驗，而這些都不需要太多的話來說明。這真的是面試中「少即是多」的最佳範例。
The Case for Concise Responses 為什麼簡潔的回答更有效
When it comes to interviews, many candidates feel the need to say a lot to impress. They might dive into long-winded explanations, offer extra details, or try to cover every possible angle of a question. But here’s the thing: quality almost always trumps quantity. A well-structured, concise response can leave a stronger impression than a lengthy answer that tries to do too much.
很多人在面試中會覺得話說越多越好，希望這樣能讓對方留下深刻印象。他們可能會講得很長、提供過多細節，甚至試圖把每個角度都涵蓋到。但事實是，質量永遠比數量重要。一個結構清晰、簡潔有力的回答，比那些冗長的回應更容易打動人。
The answer my client gave worked because it was:
1. Clear: He focused on the main point—his commitment to quality.
2. Confident: His words conveyed assurance without the need for embellishment.
3. Focused: He resisted the temptation to over-explain, allowing his message to stand on its own.
我這位客戶的回答之所以那麼有效，是因為它具備以下三個特點：
1. 清楚：他抓住了最重要的重點—對品質的承諾。
2. 自信：他的語氣很穩，不需要太多的修飾。
3. 聚焦：他避免了過度解釋，讓主要的訊息更有力地傳達出來。
The 2-Minute Rule: A Strategy for Success 兩分鐘法則：成功的策略
In interviews, I always recommend sticking to the “2-Minute Rule.” Your answer should ideally be wrapped up within two minutes. If you can deliver a clear and compelling message in that time frame, you’re showing the interviewer that you can think clearly, communicate efficiently, and respect their time.
我常常建議面試者遵循「兩分鐘法則」。你的回答最好能在兩分鐘內結束。如果你能在這段時間內清楚、有力地傳達訊息，你就展示了你的思路清晰、表達得當，而且尊重面試官的時間。
Here’s why this approach works:
? Clarity: Short answers force you to get straight to the point, filtering out unnecessary details.
? Impact: Well-chosen words pack more punch when you don’t dilute them with filler.
? Confidence: A concise response suggests that you know what you’re talking about and don’t need to prove it with extra words.
這個方法之所以有效，原因有三：
- 清晰：短的回答迫使你直接切入主題，過多的細節會自然被濾掉。
- 有效：精心挑選的字詞，沒有被多餘的話稀釋，反而更有力。
领英推荐
- 自信：簡潔的回答顯示你對自己有信心，無需用更多的話來證明。
Common Pitfalls to Avoid 常見的陷阱要避免
Let’s contrast this with common mistakes candidates make:
? Rambling: Some candidates try to cover every possible scenario or explanation, losing the interviewer’s attention in the process.
? Over-complication: Trying to sound overly sophisticated can make your response less relatable and more difficult to follow.
? Going Off-Topic: Adding unnecessary details or tangents weakens your main message and can confuse the interviewer.
讓我們來看看一些常見的錯誤：
- 說太多：有些人試圖把每種情況都解釋清楚，結果反而讓面試官走神了。
- 太複雜：想讓自己聽起來很厲害，結果回答變得不容易理解。
- 偏離重點：加入不必要的細節或扯開話題，只會讓你的主要訊息失去力量，也讓面試官不知所云。
How to Craft Short, Impactful Responses 如何打造簡短但有力的回答
To keep your answers concise and focused, consider using the STAR or PAR frameworks:
? STAR: Situation, Task, Action, Result.
? PAR: Problem, Action, Result.
Both of these frameworks help you stay structured while delivering a complete answer. Start with a brief context, quickly outline your action, and finish with the result. Practice wrapping up your responses in under two minutes, while making every word count.
想要讓你的回答簡潔又有力，可以考慮用STAR或PAR這兩種框架：
- STAR：情境（Situation）、任務（Task）、行動（Action）、結果（Result）。
- CAR：挑戰（Challenge）、行動（Action）、結果（Result）。
這些框架幫助你把回答結構化，還能確保回答內容完整。從簡單的背景開始，快速說明你的行動，最後以結果作結。多練習如何在兩分鐘內回答，讓每個字都發揮作用。
Conclusion 結論
The professional I worked with demonstrated a perfect balance of clarity and brevity. His answer to “What is failure to you?” was not only succinct but also left a lasting impression. In interviews, less can indeed be more—when less is done right.
So, the next time you’re preparing for an interview, remember this: keep it short, keep it focused, and let your confidence shine through your words. After all, sometimes the most powerful answer is the one that’s delivered in just a few words.
By the way, how would you answer this question? Think about it, practice it, and share your response.
這位我訓練的專業人士完美展現了清晰和簡潔的平衡。他對「你怎麼定義失敗？」的回答不僅簡短，還留下了深刻的印象。在面試中，少有時候真的能勝過多—前提是這個「少」有做對。
下次準備面試時，記住這一點：保持簡短、聚焦，讓你的自信透過字句表現出來。畢竟，有時候最有力的回答，就是那幾句說到重點的話。
對了！你會怎麼回答這個問題呢？想一想、練習一下，跟我們分享你的回應。