Intelligent Spam Filter
I think my spam filter is wiser than I am. I check it once a week, and today I saw that I received a “test” offer by a potential employer. I can write a sample article on a very vague topic (luckily, vague is my specialty) and after I write it, I’m assured I’ll see some form of payment for it, though no promise of work.

Tell you what I don’t like about these offers – while it’s a good way for an employer to test their writers, it’s also a great way to get next-to-free or free content for their publications. So unless there’s REAL money attached to your test, don’t do it. Your samples should be proof enough.