The difference between 面对 and 面临
The verbs 面对 and 面临 have similar meanings, but we should use them in a different contexts.
The verb 面对
The verb 面对 
has two meanings:
1) "to face", "to confront".
In this case, we use the verb to indicate a phenomenon or problem that one is facing and needs to interact with. This meaning has a more neutral connotation.
has two meanings:
1) "to face", "to confront".
In this case, we use the verb to indicate a phenomenon or problem that one is facing and needs to interact with. This meaning has a more neutral connotation.Examples
父亲教会我要面对困难
My father taught me to face difficulties
fùqīn jiàohuì wǒ yào miànduì kùnnán
他也许仍旧要面对刑事指控
He may still face criminal charges
tā yěxǔ réngjiù yào miànduì xíngshì zhǐkòng
2) "to stand in front of, "to face".
Examples
她突然转过身子面对着他
She suddenly turned around and faced him
tā túrán zhuǎnguò shēnzi miànduì zhe tā
我再也不能坦然地面对她了
I won’t be able to stand still in front of her ever again
wǒ zài yě bù néng tǎnrán de miànduì tā le
The verb 面临
We use the verb 面临 to indicate that someone is facing problems, disasters or serious consequences.
to indicate that someone is facing problems, disasters or serious consequences.Examples
多数企业都面临大量的竞争
Most companies are facing a lot of competition
duōshù qǐyè dōu miànlín dàliàng de jìngzhēng
我们面临着困难的抉择
We are facing difficult choices
wǒmen miànlín zhe kùnnán de juézé
公司正面临财政危机
The company is facing a financial crisis
gōngsī zhèng miànlín cáizhèng wéijī