Elite Daily Writer Interview Questions
& Process

I sent in my application online and got a call a few days later where they asked me basic questions about myself and how I'd describe the site. Then, I was asked to do a writing test, which was unpaid. I had five hours to finish it, but it was pretty straightforward. Someone from the company and I were in a group chat while I worked on the test, so I could ask questions if needed. I was offered the job about two weeks after that. The whole thing from applying to getting hired took around a month. I think it helped that I'm into pop culture, like the Kardashians and musicians, and I made sure to mention that. They're looking for candidates who are well-rounded and can handle different tasks if necessary, so let them know your capabilities.

The whole thing took about a month from start to finish. After I sent in my resume, cover letter, and some writing examples, they had me do a writing test that I didn't get paid for. This test was a lot: it included coming up with multiple story ideas, writing two articles, and answering questions that needed long, detailed responses about my background, plus more story ideas with the prompt 'things that Elite Daily doesn't currently cover.' It was really extensive. After that, I got asked to do a video interview with one of the editors and another writer. They seemed nice and professional enough, but the interview felt awkward, which I guess was just nerves since I'm normally fine in interviews. They kept saying how much they loved my work, my writing style, my ideas, my background, and my articles, even gushing about one specific article. The interview was pretty short, about 10-20 minutes. They told me they'd let me know by the end of the week after I did a few more interviews. By Friday, the editor emailed me saying there was an unexpected delay and they'd get back to me as soon as possible. Right before they rejected me, I saw some of my writing test work pop up on the site. It was tweaked a bit and turned into a 'new' article by someone else, obviously. At first, I thought it was a good sign because they were using my ideas, my material, my sources, and so on. I was hopeful and in denial, totally sure I'd get hired because they clearly liked my work so much that they rewrote the very article the editor claimed to love. But that's not what happened. A few weeks later, I got an email from the editor explaining they had chosen someone else, that they only had space for one writer, and that the competition was really tough with tons of applicants. They also mentioned that if I was still interested, they'd be happy to stay in touch in early 2021. I said yes, but it felt weird how long their rejection was. I was also worried this vague offer was just to distract me. Naturally, I wanted to know who they hired instead. I watched the site for months and months, waiting for a new writer to show up. It never happened. It was always the same writers, but with new content, including mine. Plus, they never contacted me. And that's not all I noticed. When I didn't get hired, I first blamed my inability to relax during our Zoom call. Clearly, they didn't like something about me or preferred someone else, and that's fine. The work wasn't really mine anymore since I'd already given it to them. But I was stunned. I started looking into other people who had interviewed with Bustle and BDG (which owns Elite Daily), and I found lots of writers who suspected and complained about their work being stolen after an unpaid, extensive writing test where they were asked for pitches and articles. Many also thought it strange that they were prompted for so many pitches only to be told the job didn't involve pitching, and then they realized their pitches and articles were already on the site. Lesson learned: I should have researched this company beforehand, and you should too. After learning all I know now about this company targeting millennial women, its male CEO, and their practices, I feel foolish for even applying. I don't recommend this experience for any self-respecting female writer who cares about their reputation or their work. There are better and more honest ways to come up with fresh ideas than stealing from people who are eager to please. Maybe they do hire some of the people they interview occasionally, but it seems like the vast majority have their work stolen time and time again. So consider this a warning.

I did an application with some pitches, then an unpaid edit test that took about 6 hours including a full article and more pitches. Then a phone interview that I thought went well but they said I wouldn't be allowed to pitch much. Got rejected 10 days later and the job ad went up again. Asked for feedback but no response.