How I Prepare for ID Interviews
Transitioning teachers who translated all of your application materials and landed an instructional design interview, congratulations! Preparing for ID interviews is an extension of the job transition work you’ve already done, and it will take some extra preparation.
First, research the company on LinkedIn, GlassDoor, and their website. Study the job posting so you see what their priorities are for the role. Understand exactly what they are looking for, their organizations values, and areas in which the company is looking to grow.
Then prepare some anecdotes showing your positive impact on an organization and how you learned from different professional challenges. A handful of powerful stories can be used for a range of interview questions if you know how to weave them into conversation.
It’s ok to bring notes to the interview, by the way. I don’t even try to hide it, saying things like “let me refer to my notes for those numbers…” Paul Wilson says in a YouTube video that he brings a whole binder full of evidence of his professional successes.
Lastly, I drill for interview questions over and over and over again. It may feel like overkill, but if you keep your tone casual, you will sound confident. There are lists of common interview questions all over the internet; just compile them together in a single document you can use to practice. Here is my practice deck.
Interview preparation should be intentional and demand your focus. Interviews are a huge opportunity to show your worth and you should prepare the same way you would for a major presentation because that is essentially what they are. Your presentation’s main argument is “I can bring value to you.”
