How to Stand Out as an ID Candidate
The job market for instructional design is competitive, and I have had many aspiring IDs ask me how they can stand out amongst a pool of hundreds of applicants.
When I started work in my current role, I asked my recruiter and hiring managers this question- why me? And their answer was that my profile fit what they were looking for. There was no trick or shortcut to the top of the pile of resumes. It wasn’t that I hacked the ATS system or used the right keywords. They were looking for a change maker with a strong foundation in learning theory, and I fit the bill.
What that taught me was to be honest about what you bring to the table, and you will find a company looking for exactly what you are serving. I still had to have the right skillset and experience, though.
Some other tips for standing out as an ID candidate, coming from my personal experience:
Lean into your unique specialty- Think about your professional personality. Maybe you are data informed, or evidence-backed, an inclusive learning designer, tech-savvy, a stellar writer, multicultural experience, have design theory expertise, or you craft beautiful visuals because of your art background, etc.
Translate your application materials to the corporate world- Your resume/cover letter should show that you can develop employees’ skills and develop training for adults in the workplace. Use the wording from job postings you are interested in.
Have a portfolio- This should feature work samples for the job you are moving into, like Storyline projects, not your old teaching work samples. I had to make all new portfolio pieces from scratch because my existing lesson and unit plans were not getting me anywhere on the ID job market.
Be active on LinkedIn- Connections fostered on the platform could open doors. You could chat with recruiters/hiring managers for jobs you are interested in, and they might remember you later. Respond to posts of employees at companies where you want to work.
Be authentic- Being honest about who you are means landing with a company that is a good fit and wants someone with your exact profile. That worked out for me.
Once you’ve landed your first ID gig, it will always be easier applying for jobs in the future. Keep that in mind and don’t get disheartened. You only need one yes.
