… before they’ll even consider letting you work for pay.

“First: Create a profile on BuzzFeed and publish a number of posts that show off your internet chops and writing prowess. How well do you get the BuzzFeed voice and style? Check out these posts to see what kinds of things perform the best on our site: http://www.buzzfeed.com/hot Then, and only then, send an application through Greenhouse with a link to your profile, your resume, and a cover letter with a paragraph or two about you and what you do. Please include links to other projects, writing, or fun stuff you’ve done online in your cover letter. ”

Write a cover letter? Legit. Tweak your resume? OK. Write a post, maybe two, for internal review (that is, not to be published on Buzzfeed’s massive-revenue-generating website)? Kosher. Write free content for their website and then (and only then) be perhaps, maybe, potentially reviewed for a paying gig? Shitty, gross, and exploitative. I’ve sent writing samples to writing jobs, and I’ve written syllabi for teaching gigs. But I’ve never sent writing samples to writing jobs that they get to keep and make money off of, and I’ve never taught a class in order to be eligible for a chance to teach for pay.

BuzzFeed has an $850 million dollar valuation.

Remember, young soldiers: anyone who thinks that you should be producing “content” for them for free, because that’s how you take part in the new world of dynamic thinkfluential disruptive viral natively advertising verticals, is conning you. The need for you to pay rent and put food in your belly remains remarkably undisrupted in this brave new world.