Editorial Standards

1. Evidence Before Narrative

We do not start with "the story we want to tell" and then search for supporting fragments. We start with signals, constraints, and trade-offs, then write the argument.

• Claims should have source trails.
• Salary commentary must carry context, not isolated numbers.
• If confidence is low, we state uncertainty clearly.

2. Original Framing, Not Content Repackaging

We do not rewrite trending threads and call it "research." If a topic is crowded, we publish only when we have a distinct angle, stronger framing, or better decision utility.

3. India-First Specificity

Advice that works in San Francisco can fail in Bengaluru for very boring and very real reasons: salary bands, notice periods, labor competition, city costs, and company mix. We optimize for local relevance.

4. Decision Utility Over Motivation

• We prefer useful frameworks over emotional stimulation.
• We avoid universal guarantees and heroic career myths.
• We assume readers can handle nuance.

5. Correction Protocol

If an error is found, we fix it, log meaningful changes, and update the reality-check date. "Quiet edits" that change conclusions without acknowledgment are not acceptable.

6. Commercial Firewall

Editorial and sponsorship decisions are separated. If a sponsor wants editorial influence, the answer is straightforward: no.

Reference: Revenue Model and Sponsorship Policy.

7. AI Use Policy

• Allowed: drafting support, formatting cleanup, verification assistance.
• Not allowed: outsourcing editorial judgment or core conclusions.

8. Tone Policy

We use dry satire to expose nonsense, not to insult readers. If a line is funny but reduces clarity, it gets removed.

9. Update Cadence

• Monthly review cycle for core market pages.
• High-volatility topics are reviewed faster.
• Stale pages are revised, merged, or retired.

10. Reader Contract

We owe you clarity, provenance, and correction discipline. You owe yourself one thing: do not outsource your career decisions to a single post, including ours.

Last updated: July 20, 2026