I found a PM position advertised as this:

To apply, please send us a link to your linkedIn profile and a 200 word email (in English). You can write anything you wish in that email, provided that it shows us:
1) How you’d handle a situation where the client is angry because someone made an error
2) How you’d handle a situation where the client thinks they know more than you do, but they’re obviously wrong
3) How you’d share negative and positive feedback with your team

You cannot get better text for this job. Compare it with this corporate language:
– Strong written and verbal communication skills
– Strong ability to proactively identify and resolve issues
– Strong analytical skills
– Good time management skills

How can you get from any CV that he has good communication skills? Wth Strong analytical skills are? If you waste the time to apply to this job will still they consider that you have Good time management skills?

G.

ps. as it is a blog to remember me several ideas, here are the answers for the three questions

  1. The client is angry not on error, but on impact of the error on his business. There are two categories of clients – those who can manage themselves the negative impact and who will fire you and the ones that have their asses wet. For the last you can bring help. First thing to say is to assure them that you will work with them to control the facts. Second is to roll up the sleeves to find out where the problem is. Third (only after you know the problem), start to work on the problem AND mitigate the impact on the business. DO NOT begin working with the material impact until you clarify the facts.
  2. This is a tricked question. The client ALWAYS knows better than you everything about HIS business. Obviously wrong from your point of view is a very very narrow point of view and you must trust your client knows better what’s good for him. First thing to do is to try to understand his point of view. Then you can work together to bring it to live. If you still are in uncertainty you can ask him for guidance and close assistance. Or you can resign (this is the best thing to do if you still feel the client thinks they know more than you do…).
  3. There are not positive or negative attributes of feedback. The feedback is always valuable and must be transmitted as is. The most important thing about feedback is not the manner you share it, but how you use it. First you must keep it impersonal and focus on the facts. Second, USE IT, there is not better information than feedback. Even if you use it as lesson learned it is always an added value to your enterprise.