Freelance work seems to be ROARING back (as expected), and there are some very good leads on gigs and calls-for-pitches for the week ending October 27.
Welcome to this weeks’ update with new journalism, writing and communications jobs and calls-for-pitches, all of which are remote, pay at least $1 per word or a minimum of $100,000 per year in salary, and include relevant editor email addresses so you know who to pitch when you have your next great idea!
If this is your first time here, welcome! I send out the newsletter every week on Wednesday around 9am PT. Every week the listings are new and different.
In case you’re curious about why this jobs newsletter stands out above the rest, read this post.
This week, I’ve included calls for pitches with editor emails from everyone from The New York Times, Well Blog, to Vox, Inverse, Fast Company, Slate, Reader’s Digest, Insider, and more. All pay $1 per word or more. There are some great full-time remote and hybrid opportunities too, including Travel & Leisure, Fortune, Seeking Alpha, Architectural Digest, and NBC.
Thought of the Week: Why Pay Transparency Matters & Why We Do What We Do
If you’ve been a subscriber here for a little while, you know that I am a huge NPR fan (and I frequently share available remote jobs at NPR) and regularly listen to a lot of their financial/economics content because I was recently hired to book and host a weekly economics podcast which is launching in the next 3-4 weeks.
Basically, I need to brush up on my business/economics news consumption to stay on top of the topics that I think will be interesting to a very wide population of people. (I’ll keep you posted on when the show officially launches.)
Last week, I listened to an episode of Planet Money that featured a female comedienne who is completely transparent about her earnings, income, and how she pays those who work with her. She had some great advice for negotiating rates (JUST ASK!) and advocating for yourself when it comes to financial topics. I found it really refreshing, and it just underscored a further need for pay transparency across all kinds of sectors. Feel free to check it out on Spotify, here. And yes, it’s funny and entertaining (and it gets to the heart of what I’m trying to do with this newsletter!).
I also sat down and read this David Brooks Op-Ed over the weekend, and wow, did it resonate for me. Being an “illuminator” (as he calls it) is one of the many reasons I love being a journalist. I also really like that term for the way it feels to do the work I do. I’m going to try and pre-order his book (and even look into his Weave Community) because it just feels like we need more of this–especially with how horrific the world has gotten recently.
As we get deeper into Q4, the economic picture gets even more muddled thanks to the latest war in the Middle East, questions about the stability of our own government (thanks, Congress) and their commitments, the ongoing confusing numbers coming out of the latest jobs report, and the questions around inflation, the media world (read as hiring, calls for pitches, etc.) is going to get weird in the coming weeks and months.
The best insight and advice I can give you, based on my 20+ years in journalism both as an employee of big companies and as an independent freelancer, is: Be Ready to Pivot. That means that you’ll need to think and act fast on calls-for-pitches, have your contacts on speed dial, and be ready to cover a wide variety of topics that may be a bit of a stretch outside your comfort zone.
This week’s listings feel strange to me–there were a bunch of calls for pitches that resurfaced as editors didn’t get the responses they wanted, there seems to be a lot of book-focused calls, and not a lot of other feature stuff out there right now. It’s normal for calls for pitches to fall off in Q4, so don’t worry–just be aware.
The full-time list has a lot to offer. Many of the gigs are hybrid, with a handful of remote options. Like always, everything in this newsletter pays either $1 per word or more, or pays at least $100,000 or more. There’s no other newsletter on the market like it so become a paid subscriber below!
I offer a couple of options whether you want to become a regular subscriber or just see this weeks listings. You can choose and you can cancel at any time. All payments are processed through Stripe.
In this week’s newsletter there are open gigs and calls-for-pitches at places like People Magazine, Guardian US (which has been a frequent flier on this list lately), Tom’s Guide, The 19th, Politico, Atlas Obscura, Insider, International Business Times, ESPN, The New Yorker, PBS Frontline, Bloomberg, Paper Magazine, the AP, Barnes & Noble, National Geographic, and more.
As you know, this newsletter isn’t complete without the Dishonorable Mentions, section, but you’ll have to subscribe to find out who’s ended up on that list this week.
PAY: All Freelance gigs and calls-for-pitches offer at least $1 per word or a really great byline opportunity. This is especially great if you’re looking to transition to another vertical and really tired of seeing super low rates. All full-time work pays at least $100,000 in salary or more. I note if these jobs are worthwhile or a load of hooey. I’ve worked a lot of places for a lot of people in my nearly 20 year career. I’ll give you the inside scoop on what the environment is really like.
CONTACTS FOR EDITORS: I include actual email addresses for the right editors to pitch. I spend a lot of time each week making sure that I have the right email addresses for these folks.
All work is REMOTE: Apparently, that’s hard to find these days (according to this Insider story that I just read this morning…) I’ve been a remote worker for a long time–well before Covid shutdowns, so I know how to find these kinds of jobs.
I’m so glad you’ve stopped by to check out the latest newsletter and find out more about what I offer!
If you’re new here, jump below to learn more about the top three reasons that this jobs newsletter stands out from others on the market. Or you can check out this pinned post.
This week’s newsletter is chock-full of great opportunities–especially if you’re looking for full-time work. While some of the freelance gigs have been re-upped from past newsletters (I have included those, because they were recently re-posted or boosted on social), there are still some great calls for pitches, some new editor emails, and guidelines for pitching.
This week includes calls for pitches from Condé Nast Traveler, National Geographic, SF Gate (a couple of new part time gigs that pay well), Jezebel, another call for pitches from Al Jazeera, The GuardianUS, a really interesting Substack that pays very well, University of Washington and Michigan State.
As you may have seen me mention on BlueSky (because I really dislike Twitter and refuse to call it “X,” and I’d REALLY like to get off it if I could…but, alas) the full-time work on this list is jaw-droppingly good. There are jobs from NASA, The New York Times, Inc., StitchFix, Bloomberg, Hearst, USA Today (which pays astonishingly well) and more all that pay over $100,000 a year. I wasn’t kidding when I mentioned that this weeks full-time jobs content was 🔥🔥🔥.
Top Three Reasons This Jobs Newsletter Stands Out From Others on the Market
PAY: All Freelance gigs and calls-for-pitches offer at least $1 per word or a really great byline opportunity. This is especially great if you’re looking to transition to another vertical and really tired of seeing super low rates. All full-time work pays at least $100,000 in salary or more. I note if these jobs are worthwhile or a load of horseshit. I’ve worked a lot of places for a lot of people in my nearly 20 year career. I’ll give you the inside scoop on what the environment is really like.
CONTACTS FOR EDITORS: I include actual email addresses for the right editors to pitch. I spend a lot of time each week making sure that I have the right email addresses for these folks.
All work is REMOTE: Apparently, that’s hard to find these days (according to this Insider story that I just read this morning…) I’ve been a remote worker for a long time–well before Covid shutdowns, so I know how to find these kinds of jobs.
Become a Paid Subscriber Today and I’ll Send You This Week’s Newsletter
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Today’s post will be short as I’m under a bunch of deadlines, but suffice it to say that this week’s paid newsletter is PACKED with tons of great opportunities–plus more.
This week, there’s freelance work from Vox, IBT, The Guardian US, Al Jaz, Audubon, and Bob Vila all that pay $1 per word or more. On the full-time front there are jobs from Apple, Cars.com, Headspace, Morning Brew, Seeking Alpha and Zillow, all with pay well above the $100k mark.
I’ve included a new section at the end of this week’s newsletter that includes links to past newsletters (for those of you who are brand new and who want to see some past weeks’ content), and finally, the Dishonorable Mention category has grown significantly this week–you’ll have to become a paid subscriber to find out more about these absolutely atrocious outlets paying BELOW minimum wage. Surprisingly enough, they’re household names, too.
You can choose one of two options to get the latest freelance & full-time journalism, writing, editing and communications gigs in your inbox. If you’re wondering how this newsletter differs from the thousands of others out there you can read this post. Otherwise, read on below.
Top Three Reasons This Jobs Newsletter Stands Out From Others on the Market
PAY: All Freelance gigs and calls-for-pitches offer at least $1 per word or a really great byline opportunity. This is especially great if you’re looking to transition to another vertical and really tired of seeing super low rates. All full-time work pays at least $100,000 in salary or more. I note if these jobs are worthwhile or a load of horseshit. I’ve worked a lot of places for a lot of people in my nearly 20 year career. I’ll give you the inside scoop on what the environment is really like.
CONTACTS FOR EDITORS: I include actual email addresses for the right editors to pitch. I spend a lot of time each week making sure that I have the right email addresses for these folks.
All work is REMOTE: Apparently, that’s hard to find these days (according to this Insider story that I just read this morning…) I’ve been a remote worker for a long time–well before Covid shutdowns, so I know how to find these kinds of jobs.
Become a Paid Subscriber Today and I’ll Send You This Week’s Newsletter
Newsletters go out to paid subscribers every Wednesday morning at 9 am PT. Check your spam inbox to make sure it didn’t land there.
Once you become a paid subscriber, I’ll send you this week’s newsletter. I’m sending them manually so there may be a slight delay once your payment is processed.
I’ve been a successful freelance journalist for more than ten years and I have tons of strategies, techniques and talent for finding relevant, high-paying, and worthwhile full-time and freelance journalism, communications, video, television, social media and editing jobs on the market.
Here are seven reasons that this paid journalism and communications jobs newsletter is different from all the others on the market. I’ve been a successful freelance journalist for more than ten years. I have many strategies, techniques, and talent for finding relevant, high-paying, and worthwhile full-time and freelance journalism, communications, video, and editing jobs on the market.
Here are seven reasons why this paid journalism and communications jobs newsletter differs from all the others on the market.
All Freelance Journalism Gigs Pay a Minimum of $1 Per Word
There was a time when $1 per word was a minimum. Today, with the advent of AI, mass layoffs, and more, it’s getting more difficult to find calls-for-pitches that pay this minimum. Each week, I curate freelance gigs and calls directly from editors that pay a minimum of $1 per word or offer an excellent byline opportunity (especially if you’re looking to broaden the type of coverage you do or want to move into a new beat). Paid subscribers to my jobs newsletter get a different curated list in their inbox each week. I also do my best to include outlets you’ve heard of (or those with outstanding reputations).
Editor’s Email Addresses are Included in Calls-For-Pitches
Stop wasting your valuable time trying to construct an editor’s email address. Each freelance call includes a way to contact the right editor. No searching is necessary on your part.
I always recommend that monthly paid subscribers archive these emails as a valuable way to update your contacts and keep the right editor contacts on hand when you have a great pitch that you want to send.
All Jobs & Freelance Gigs are Fully-Remote
I have been a remote worker for most of my career and know that being remote is tremendously valuable as a freelancer and full-timer. All jobs included in this weekly paid newsletter are full-remote unless they offer a fantastic opportunity, in which case, I note where they are located.
In the cases where the job is not remote, I note it at the end of the listing like this:
All Full-Time Journalism & Communications Jobs Pay a Minimum of $100,000 Per Year
Yes. Really. I work hard to find these jobs for paid subscribers and include them in each weekly newsletter. After all, we’re skilled, talented, and highly-experienced professionals.
newsletter, every single week. After all, we’re skilled, talented and highly-experienced professionals and we should be paid professional salaries.
I Have Been Working in Journalism & Communications For More Than 10 Years & Provide Insights You Won’t Find Anywhere Else
Want to know what an office environment is really like? I’ve got you. I have worked in many places with many talented (and, sadly, horribly untalented) people. This newsletter is for you if you want the inside scoop on many major media outlets. I pull no punches (and you can always email me for more details if you have questions about my “Editor’s Notes.”)
Welcome to a shortened work week! I’m off to Las Vegas this week for some hosting work for Fast Company and Inc. Magazine, so I’ll be a bit laggy in my responses if you reach out.
I’m surprised by how robust this week’s newsletter is (as I mentioned last week, things generally start to pick up in the fourth quarter when companies have money to burn before the end of the year).
If you’ve been a subscriber for a while, you already know that all of the opportunities in this newsletter are remote (unless noted next to the listing), and pay a minimum of $1 per word, more than $100,000 per year, OR offer a REALLY good byline opportunity. I’ve noted the ones that fall below the threshold but offer good bylines.
This week features jobs and gigs from everyone from Nike (a contract position for you sneakerheads!), USA Today, Vox, Autodesk, National Geographic Society, The Obama Foundation, the NRDC, Sports Illustrated, Nike, Byrdie, Michigan State University, AP, Quartz, the LA Times, The Street Insider and a whole lot more. While good freelancing gigs are relatively sparse this week, there are a ton of solid full-time remote positions that you might be able to freelance on the side with. Pay is up to $286,000 per year, and at least a $1 per word. Become a paid subscriber to take a look.
Also! If you attended one of my free monthly freelance advice sessions over the last few months, you know that I share some tips and tricks for the best way to leverage free tools and find great stories. Most recently, I talked about the value of LinkedIn for Journalists. If you’re a full-time freelance journalist with public clips over the last six months, you can get LinkedIn Premium for free. I wrote a short post about this recently (and included how you can sign up and get access,) so go check it out and SIGN UP! I can’t stress how worth it, this is.
Oh, and speaking of my free monthly freelance advise sessions – come to one and ask all the questions you want! I have one coming up next week on September 13 (Wednesday) at 12 pm PT. Sign up through the link–or share with your friends if they’re thinking of making the jump.
Also, given how many AWFUL job postings I look through, I’m going to start regularly including the Dishonorable Mentions of the Week at the end of the newsletter (I was surprised how many of you liked it in last week’s newsletter!), and this week I’ve included TWO terrible postings. You’ll have to become a paying subscriber below and scroll all the way to the end to find out how media companies (and others) are exploiting skilled journalists for pennies or to just know more about what to avoid.
Not a paid subscriber yet? You’re missing out! Get the most recent jobs listings when you become a paid subscriber, below!
If you’re not a subscriber yet, choose from one of the two options and get all the details of this week’s calls-for-pitches and the latest jobs. You can choose to access this post for just $3, or get four a month for just $5.
I do all the work for you and send you a weekly email newsletter with details of these gigs, how to apply, what editors to email (with their email addresses), and any insider knowledge I have about the employer and the environment. You can cancel at any time and as soon as you subscribe I’ll send you the most recent jobs newsletter.
When I first began in television, I used to have to go down to the public library in New York City and pull public records to get in touch with everyone from the Governor of New York to my next-door neighbor to book them on the show I worked for. It was labor intensive, frequently difficult, and almost always a pain in the ass.
These were the days when you maintained a massive Rolodex (which I had!) and protected it at all costs, taking it with you from job to job, because you never knew when you might need to call up the head of the UAW, or reach out to that popular stylist that worked with a guest on your show.
If you’re a freelancer or a full-time journalist, you know far too well how much work it takes to track down contacts, get anecdotes, and find the right person to connect with to book an interview. Just trying to find and connect with the right expert can take hours of research and more than a few wrong turns.
The Evolution of the LinkedIn Pay Wall
Yet, ever since the advent of LinkedIn, (which admittedly has its pros and cons in the modern era), that task has become as simple as typing a few keywords into a search bar and hitting enter. At least, it was much more convenient until LinkedIn started pay-walling the stuff you really need and want as a journalist–like contact information and free messaging with people you’re not connected with.
During my tenure at CNN, LinkedIn introduced a system tailored for journalists. They verified us as professionals and granted free access to the previously restricted features. This access led to numerous exclusive stories, as our team could spot key company movements or executive changes. LinkedIn became an indispensable tool for trend stories and leads and a must-have for every journalist.
How to Get Free Access to LinkedIn Premium as a Freelance or Full-Time Journalist
When I transitioned to freelancing a decade ago, I feared losing this invaluable access and facing steep subscription fees, which now go into the $30 and up per month range. However, my former colleagues, now leading LinkedIn’s editorial side, recognized the significance of freelancers. They ensured our continued access to the LinkedIn for Journalists Program with an annual renewal process.
If you’re wondering what the Premium tier of access gets you versus what the free model gets you, check out the table below, courtesy of LinkedIn. By far, the most valuable services are the free InMail credits and the ability to get more details about someone you’re not connected with directly.
I’ve been a part of the LIJP for the last ten years, and I cannot say enough good things about it. Sure, I’ve accidentally let it lapse, but it’s always been easy to re-up when the application period opens each quarter. It’s worth the five minutes of work you have to do and the (now) three-month wait to find out if you’ve been accepted. When you get accepted into the program, you get a premium code that unlocks your access.
Applications are Open Through October 31, 2023
Applications are now open, and it’s well worth putting together five links to current stories (dated within the last six months) and a few words about yourself to get access to one of the most valuable databases of professional contacts in the world. You can learn more about the application process here and fill out the form, here. Applications close in October, so make sure you don’t miss the window.
This week’s newsletter for paid subscribers is now in everyone’s inbox! It includes paid full-time and freelance opportunities with The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Chase Travel, Food & Wine, Essence, Daily Beast, CNN, USA Today, Rivian and The Verge. Pay is up to $1600 per story, and salaries go into the high $180,000 range.
As always, I’ve included editor contact information for you in the newsletter so you don’t have to go hunting for email addresses!
Sign up below and I’ll send you this week’s newsletter ASAP!
Hey there Freelancing Friends,
Thanks again for being a paying subscriber! I can’t tell you how much I appreciate it as this takes quite a bit of time and effort to put together each week. I hope that you’re finding these weekly notes beneficial and getting some solid leads and great work out of it.
This week seems to be a bit light on the big opportunities but there are still some really good ones on the market. I suspect this is largely because we’re coming to the tail end of the third quarter, and everyone is looking at their budgets and freaking out a bit. As someone who’s managed very large budgets and teams, I know this time of year can be a real bear.
It will be interesting to see what happens as we enter the fourth quarter of the year next week. It’s always been my experience that things come roaring back at the end of the year because editors suddenly have all this cash they have to spend (or risk losing for next year).
A handful of jobs and gigs stand out in this week’s newsletter for paid subscribers, including a really unique opportunity for freelance work at the NY Times, some calls for pitches at Essence Magazine on a multitude of topics, and a handful of opportunities for a byline or two in the Daily Beast. On the full-time front, there’s a mix of opportunities from everyone from CNN and USA Today, to Rivian and The Verge. Some pay up to $1600 for a story and salaries go into the high $180k range.
For fun, paid subscribers can read all the way to the end of this week’s newsletter for another doozy of a job listing that definitely deserves a dishonorable mention.
As always I’ve included editor’s email addresses to make pitching easy, and cut down on the administrative work you have to do to successfully land stories with these publications. I’ve also included a section for those of you in PR (or looking to get into PR), just to keep you up to date on the latest options in the space.
Oh, and just in case you’re tired of the summer doldrums (and the heat), Starbucks has declared that fall is here, and they’ve started selling their PSL extra early…
I have mixed feelings about this, as a non-fan of the PSL, and someone with a summer birthday. I greeted this news with a mix of resentment at this early fall push, and I also cannot believe that we’re already heading into September.
Since Monday is a holiday here in the states next week, I expect some slimmer pickings on the job/freelancing front. As always, I’ll keep you all updated and see you next Wednesday!
Happy Hunting!
If you’re not a subscriber yet, choose from one of the two options and get all the details of this week’s calls-for-pitches and the latest jobs. You can choose to access this post for just $3 or get four a month for just $5. I do all the work for you and send you a weekly email newsletter with details of these gigs, how to apply, what editors to email (with their email addresses), and any insider knowledge I have about the employer and the environment. You can cancel at any time and as soon as you subscribe I’ll send you the most recent jobs newsletter.
It’s been a bit of a whirlwind of a week this week and the newsletter has been in paid subscriber’s inboxes since yesterday morning!
This week’s post includes jobs and gigs from Vox, The New York Times, The Today Show, MoneyWatch, Rover, Harvard (NeimanLab), The Mayo Clinic, Hasbro (Dungeons & Dragons), Airbnb, Popular Science, The Points Guy, Bob Vila, USA Today, Financial Times Magazine, The Unversity of Washington, Guardian US, Johns Hopkins, Lonely Planet, Meta, CNN, Rover, and a whole bunch of others.
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Pay ranges from around $200+ per hour, and $1 per word, to $250,000 per year.
Most importantly, as always, I’ve included editor emails and social media handles when I can find them.
🔥Hot Tip🔥 You can easily archive these emails (don’t just delete them!) so you can go back and search for the right contact when you have the perfect pitch.
In case you’re curious about how this newsletter differs from others out there I just got a message from one of my paid subscribers. It’s a common theme that I hear weekly either via email, text, or DM, and it makes me so happy to know that this newsletter is helping other hard-working journalists find their path in these strange media days.
“Great newsletter this week! You have a LOT of posts that are not on the other newsletters I get!”
I didn’t get around to writing a blog this week (as it was my birthday, and I did my best to stay offline to celebrate), but I plan to have one for you next week before I head out for a week in Carmel Valley, California, celebrating all that the automotive world has to offer. If you’ll be there for Car Week, hit me up! I’d love to connect and learn how this freelance life is treating you!
If you want to get these newsletters every week on Wednesdays, subscribe for just $5 per month. Cancel at any time.
Once you subscribe, I’ll send you the most recent newsletter and add you to my weekly list. You can also reach out if you want a past issue (or past newsletter).
As always, you can email me with any questions and concerns. Reach out if you landed a gig through the newsletter and want to be featured in next weeks’ post using the form below!
Get in touch
Don’t hesitate to reach out with the contact information below, or send a message using the form.
What do you do when the job opportunity you’re interested in wants story ideas and “sample” work before they decide to interview or pay you?
It’s the age-old question: Do you do a whole bunch of free work to possibly land a gig? The answer is frequently fraught and often frustrating–but here’s what you need to know.
“Send me three well-researched pitches…” and Maybe I’ll Pay You for Them, or Maybe I’ll Assign Them to my Full-Time Staff
I was recently trolling the job listings and came across a freelance ghostwriting gig that looked promising on LinkedIn. It was an “Easy Apply” gig, but upon reading the description, it turned out that the poster wanted applicants to email them directly with as many as 10 (!!!) links to relevant bylines, a cover letter, and a resume.
“Ok, fine.” I sighed and got to emailing. I also clicked that “Easy Apply” button, just to indicate that I was a serious applicant and interested in the spot.
A few hours later, I got a note in my LinkedIn Messages. There, the job poster enumerated a proposed “exercise” assignment, as he called it.
He requested that I come up with a “provocation,” which immediately set alarm bells off in my head. In today’s hotly partisan world, that generally means an “unpopular opinion,” or “hot take,” that frequently smells of rage baiting, a common technique to boost views and interactions on a website. He even went through a list of questions I should ask myself about the topic (cue the deep side eye from experienced journalists).
His note went on to say that once the company approved my “provocation,” I “will find an excellent expert on the matter,” who could argue that point of view, then I’d reach out to that “expert” to “get their interest,” (MLM anyone?). At that point, the hiring company would decide if I should proceed to “work with that person to write the article.”
The kicker? “We can offer you $500 if we decide to publish the article based on the assignment.”
Um…
The Issues Around the Unpaid-Work Interview
If you subscribe to my weekly freelance and full-time journalism job listings, you know I pull no punches about how journalists are paid and what professional-level writers, editors, television producers, podcasters, and broadcasters deserve for their experience and work.
I advocate for a fair, living wage to be paid to those of us who are professional journalists working hard to dig up the truth about the world and share knowledge because I sincerely believe (to quote my CNN sweatshirt that hangs on the back of my office chair) The World Needs Journalists.
All of this brings me to the core issue of the “Unpaid-Work” interview: Sharing story ideas, pitches, and even doing “exercise” assignments before an employer has even decided if they want to interview or hire you is a SCAM that’s perpetuated by corporate overlords who aim to suck every ounce of creativity out of the largest number of applicants.
Read that again. The Unpaid-Work Interview Is. A. Scam.
…
How do I know? I’ve seen it happen–from both inside and outside major media outlets.
I’ve watched a number of major media outlets (who will publicly remain unnamed) put applicants through the “Unpaid-Work” rigamarole because they’ve burned out their own journalists and content creators so fiercely that the full-time employees are mere shells.
I’ve seen those stories, pitches, and “exercise” assignments sent in by job seekers, stolen by management, and assigned to junior staff reporters just so those managers can tout how they have their “finger on the pulse” of what’s happening in the world. “Hey, look at how great our numbers are,” they pronounce, knowing full well they mined hard-working job applicants for the ideas.
I’ve also seen it from the job seekers’ side of the equation–both in freelance and full-time opportunities. I’ve even gone so far as to do one or two of these Unpaid-Work Interviews because I really did want to work for the outlet or publication.
Sadly, after doing a couple of them and later discovering that my ideas had been stolen by the outlet or publication and assigned to someone else, I refuse to do them anymore. I also have put those outlets (and the editors I dealt with there) on no-fly lists, meaning that I will not work for, write for, or publish with those people or publications.
How to Handle an “Unpaid-Work” Interview?
There are a couple of ways you can handle the Unpaid-Work Interview:
Decide to go for it, expecting your content to be stolen if you are not hired.
Decide to pass, and wish the job poster well. (i.e., “Thank you so much for the opportunity to move forward in the interview process, but unfortunately, I’ll need to withdraw my application for this position. Best of luck in your search…”
At this point in my career, the Unpaid-Work Interview is a major red flag that immediately takes that publication and editor off of my radar. It’s really up to you how you choose to proceed, but if you decide to go for the Unpaid-Work Interview, know that your work will likely end up under someone else’s byline.
Oh, and funny enough, I got the exact same, word-for-word, email in my inbox about 12 hours after the note landed in my LinkedIn messages about that job.
