Write for DreamJobMatcher: Contributor Guidelines

Write for DreamJobMatcher: Contributor Guidelines

Write for DreamJobMatcher: Contributor Guidelines

We publish evidence-based career writing from working practitioners. Here is what we look for and how to pitch.

Why we publish

DreamJobMatcher exists to help people make better career decisions using assessment data, labor-market evidence, and lived experience. Our mission for the editorial side is the same: every article should leave a reader with a concrete next step they could not have generated from a generic search result. We publish to compound that body of work over time.

Who we publish

We are selective about contributor backgrounds because career advice is high-stakes. We work with:

  • Career counselors with active client caseloads (NCDA, GCDF, BCC, or equivalent certification preferred)
  • Organizational psychologists and I-O practitioners with applied experience
  • HR professionals with at least 5 years in talent acquisition, L&D, or workforce planning
  • Labor economists and workforce researchers with published or institutional work
  • Vocational psychology researchers at universities or independent labs
  • Domain practitioners in specific fields who can write authoritatively about career paths in that field (clinicians on healthcare careers, engineers on tech careers, etc.)

We occasionally publish strong work from outside these categories when the writer brings a unique data source or first-person expertise that maps to a topic cluster we cover.

What we publish

Our topic clusters:

  • Career assessment and self-knowledge: Holland Code, Big Five, MBTI critique, strengths frameworks, values clarification
  • Career transitions: pivots, return-to-work, mid-life changes, post-layoff strategy
  • Job-search mechanics: resumes, interviews, networking, salary negotiation, when each tactic actually matters
  • Labor-market analysis: occupation outlook, automation risk, wage trends, geographic patterns (BLS, OECD, or primary-source data required)
  • Education and credentials: degree ROI, bootcamps, certifications, apprenticeships, when each path makes sense
  • Specific occupations: realistic day-in-the-life pieces, entry paths, sub-specializations, exit options

What we don’t publish

Quality bar:

  • No undisclosed AI-generated drafts. Tools are fine for research and outlining. The final voice must be yours, and you must disclose if AI was used for any portion of the draft.
  • No thin listicles. “10 jobs for introverts” with one paragraph per item is not a contribution.
  • No link bait without data. If you make a claim about wages, growth, or outcomes, cite a primary source.
  • No generic advice that the reader could find in any career blog. We are looking for the angle only you can write.
  • No conflicts of interest without disclosure. If you are pitching a piece that benefits your employer, certification body, or product, say so up front.

How to pitch

Send a pitch (not a finished draft) to our editorial inbox. Include:

  • A one-sentence working headline
  • A 3 to 5 bullet outline of the argument or structure
  • The reader takeaway in one sentence
  • A short note on why you are the right person to write it (credential, dataset, lived experience)
  • Two links to your prior writing if available

We respond to every pitch within 10 business days. If we accept, you will get a target word count (usually 1,200 to 2,200), a deadline, and a single editor as your point of contact.

Author benefits

We are honest about what we offer:

  • Byline on the article with a linked author bio
  • Permanent author hub at /author/your-name/ with all your DreamJobMatcher pieces, your photo, bio, and social links
  • Social promotion on our channels at publication
  • No monetary compensation. We do not pay contributor rates at this stage. If we change that, current contributors will be the first to know.

FAQ

Can I republish my piece on my own site or LinkedIn?
Yes, 14 days after publication, with a canonical link or visible note pointing back to the DreamJobMatcher version.
Do you accept guest posts from agencies or content marketers?
No. We only work with the named expert who will be on the byline. If you are pitching on behalf of someone, the actual writer needs to be on the email thread.
How long is the editorial process?
From accepted pitch to published article is typically 3 to 5 weeks: 2 weeks for drafting, 1 week for editing rounds, then scheduling. We do one substantive edit pass and one line edit.
Will you edit my piece heavily?
We edit for clarity, structure, and to keep claims tied to evidence. We do not change your voice or argument without discussion. You see and approve the final version before it ships.
Can I include links to my book, product, or business?
One link in the bio, yes. Inline links to your own commercial properties inside the article, no, unless it is the specific subject of the piece and disclosed.

Ready to pitch?

Email your pitch to [email protected] with the subject line “Pitch: [your working headline]”.

[email protected]