Jumpstart Your Instructional Design Career
**On break and returning early 2025**
Thinking about becoming an Instructional Designer (ID) but have no idea how to get started? Instructional Design is a field that is high in demand, very flexible, highly lucrative, and provides you with a great work-life balance (say bye to being overworked and underpaid)! Join Jill Davidian, 21-year corporate Instructional Design veteran and host of Jumpstart Your Instructional Design Career! Jill has worked in many different industries including finance, health care, oil and gas, manufacturing, and even with the United Nations. She has helped over 500 new Instructional Designers launch their ID careers with corporate giants like Google and Amazon, as well as smaller companies. Each week she brings real talk, advice and inspiration, and interviews to help budding IDs stand out from the crowd and get that first job. Whether you are trying to figure out if Instructional Design is right for you, or you are ready to create a portfolio and rework your resume, you are in the right place to jumpstart your Instructional Design career.
Episodes
28 episodes
27: What Needs To Be in Your ID Portfolio To Get Hired
You know you need to have a portfolio, but what the heck do you put in it? The truth is, if you're not already an experienced ID, you'll have to start from scratch. Top reasons to listen to the entire episode:Understand ...
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18:34
26: What Job Titles Should You Look For When You Apply
Have you started the hunt for a corporate instructional design position? Finding your first ID job can be overwhelming and confusing, especially with the various titles that pop up when searching online job platforms. In this episode, I'm discu...
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21:25
25: Why Instructional Design is Recession-Proof
Is the current economy making you hesitant to start your career in instructional design? Despite the possibility of a recession, the eLearning industry is booming - and I'll tell you why.In this episode, I'm shedding light on why the ins...
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17:43
24: The Importance of Feedback in Landing an ID Job
How well do you handle constructive criticism? While receiving feedback can be scary and deflating, it's critical to the instructional design process. In this episode, I discuss how proper feedback will set you up for success as a n...
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21:01
23: Demystifying the ID Project Kickoff Meeting
You've been assigned your first ID project. Now what? First, you'll want to establish the project's direction and develop the learning solution. To do this, you'll conduct a kickoff meeting.In this episode, I'm reviewing instructional de...
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27:28
22: The Corporate Instructional Design Hiring Process
In this episode, I'm reviewing the hiring process for corporate instructional design. We'll go through each phase of the process and what happens after receiving an offer so that you can level set your expectations as you apply and work to get ...
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19:40
21: How Long Does it Take to Become an Instructional Designer?
How long does it take to become an instructional designer? Transitioning careers requires thoughtful planning, especially if you have a time-bound job like teaching. In this episode, I'm discussing the timeline of becoming an instru...
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25:41
20: Questions to Ask When Considering an Instructional Design Academy
Are you thinking about joining an instructional design academy? Instructional design programs will help you develop the practical skills needed to build your portfolio and stand out in the industry. But with multiple academies to choose from, h...
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35:38
19: Should I Get a Master's Degree in Instructional Design?
Should you get a master's degree in instructional design? While having a degree can look good on paper, if you're planning to go into corporate ID, then a master's degree may not be the best option.In this episode, I'm going over why you...
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24:40
18: Getting Volunteer Instructional Design Experience
When you’re just starting in corporate instructional design, having a portfolio is crucial to help you stand out, but nothing compares to having experience with an actual client. So how do you get this experience if you’ve never had a job in th...
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16:34
17: 4 Things You Need to Get Hired as an Instructional Designer
How do you get hired as an instructional designer for the first time without any formal experience? You may be looking at job postings, seeing hundreds of applications, and thinking there is no way to compete with everyone. But the truth is, mo...
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16:52
16: Articulate Storyline vs. Rise
The two most-used eLearning development tools in corporate instructional design are Articulate Storyline and Articulate Rise. While both tools come from the same company, they have quite a few distinctions and serve very different purposes....
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15:28
15: What is an Instructional Design Portfolio
As instructional designers, we have the unique advantage of submitting portfolios to potential employers - yes, advantage! While it may seem daunting to create, a portfolio allows us to showcase our skills and is especially important w...
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17:26
14: Understanding the SAM Framework & How it Compares to ADDIE
You may already be familiar with the ADDIE corporate ID framework, but what about the SAM model? As you begin to apply for jobs, it’s crucial to understand both frameworks. Learning these methods is fundamental to corporate instructional design...
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12:00
13: Do I need to buy a new computer for ID work?
Do you need to buy a new computer to learn the programs for corporate instructional design work? The short answer: no! But you do need to ensure your computer has the appropriate specs to set you up for success when you’re first learning and be...
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13:38
12: The Software Programs You Must Learn to be Hired as a Corporate ID
Job postings for corporate ID positions often include a laundry list of tools and software. As someone new to the field, it’s hard to know which programs are essential. Reading the job descriptions can be overwhelming, and you may think you’ll ...
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20:27
11. The Different Types of Learning Delivery Methods
Understanding the various training delivery methods we design and develop as corporate instructional designers is crucial. This knowledge allows you to decide which modalities you may want to focus on as a corporate ID and determine the proper ...
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15:01
10: My Thoughts on the Recent Layoffs and How They Affect Instructional Design
With layoffs being a major headline in the news, you’re probably questioning if now is really the best time to transition into a corporate career. It’s natural to be hesitant about making such a big decision, and especially scary when consideri...
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16:52
9: Full-Time vs. Contract Instructional Design Work
What’s the difference between full-time and contract work in corporate instructional design? Many people don’t realize the variety of opportunities available in the field of corporate ID or that it’s not a requirement to work 40 hours a week if...
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28:23
8: How to Write a Design Document
The design document is a key component of the instructional design process, and it’s important to understand its significance before starting your career in corporate ID. You’ll not only need to have a sample in your portfolio, but you’ll need ...
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28:33
7: Choosing a Topic for Your First eLearning Sample for Your Portfolio
Are you feeling overwhelmed by the thought of creating a portfolio? While it may seem daunting, a portfolio is an excellent opportunity to showcase your skills to potential employers, especially when you’re new. We’re discussing how to choose a...
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11:52
6: A Day in the Life of an Instructional Designer
What does a corporate instructional designer do in the day-to-day? As a full-time or contract ID, you can expect similar job duties with several subtle differences. In this episode, we’re discussing the common activities of a corporate instruct...
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17:36
5: Resume Rewriting: Translating Teacher Skills to Instructional Design Skills
Are you a teacher struggling to get a job in corporate instructional design? Whether you’ve already been applying or you’re just getting started - this episode is for you! Teachers have an incredible skillset for corporate instructional design,...
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21:26
4: Ed Tech, Higher Ed, and Corporate ID - What's the difference?
What type of instructional design should you pursue? If you’re unsure what options there are, this episode is for you! While this podcast specifically focuses on corporate, it’s important to understand all three avenues of instructional design ...
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20:19