Instructional Design Hiring Manager Interview with Tara Coulson

TL;DR

Tara Coulson provides valuable insights on what hiring managers look for when hiring instructional designers and how candidates can stand out in the job market.

Transcript

hello everyone and welcome to another crowdcast q a session today we are joined by the wonderful tara coulson tara has been in this space for over 15 years she has been at amazon web services for over five years now and she is currently a curriculum development manager so she has interviewed like in amazon alone like over 120 applicants she knows h... Read More

Key Insights

• 🤠 Project management skills are increasingly important for instructional designers as companies seek individuals who can wear multiple hats and manage microprojects effectively.
• 💍 The subject matter expertise of an instructional designer is not as crucial as their ability to create engaging learning experiences.
• 🤳 Curiosity, communication skills, and the ability to be a self-starter are important soft skills for instructional designers to cultivate.
• 🎨 Education and formal instructional design experience are not as essential as practical skills and demonstrated ability to create effective courses.
• 💪 A strong portfolio that showcases a variety of learning experiences can significantly impact a candidate's chances of being hired.
• 🏑 Transitioning from other fields, such as teaching, can be successful if candidates can demonstrate their ability to apply instructional design principles to create effective learning experiences.
• 🍦 Soft skills like communication, relationship building, and assertiveness are highly valued in instructional design roles.
• 😷 Continuous learning, asking questions, and being proactive in networking within the company are ways to excel on the job as an instructional designer.

Questions & Answers

Q: What are the top three things employers look for when hiring an instructional designer?

Employers seek evidence of past work through resumes and portfolios, work experience beyond instructional design, and skills like project management.

Q: How can people show off their project management skills without any formal project management experience?

Candidates can highlight their project management skills by showcasing their ability to manage scope, deadlines, stakeholders, resources, and budgets in their work experience.

Q: How can teachers transitioning to instructional design highlight their strengths during the hiring process?

Teachers can emphasize their ability to create effective learning experiences and translate their teaching experience into instructional design principles. They should also demonstrate curiosity and knowledge about the company and its industry.

Q: How important is it to know e-learning authoring tools like Articulate 360 or Adobe Captivate?

Knowing e-learning authoring tools is critical, as it reduces ramp-up time and helps instructional designers meet deadlines. Employers often prioritize candidates with experience in specific authoring tools.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• When hiring an instructional designer, employers look for evidence of past work, such as a portfolio or resume showcasing relevant projects.

• Work experience beyond instructional design, such as project management skills, are increasingly important for instructional designers.

• Teachers transitioning to instructional design should focus on translating their teaching experience into instructional design principles and highlight their ability to create engaging learning experiences.

• Portfolios play a vital role in the hiring process, providing evidence of a candidate's skills and ability to create effective courses.

• The content of the portfolio is not as important as the ability to create a meaningful learning experience for learners.