Jumpstart Your Instructional Design Career
Jill Davidian
**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.
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Top 10 Jumpstart Your Instructional Design Career Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Jumpstart Your Instructional Design Career episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Jumpstart Your Instructional Design Career for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Jumpstart Your Instructional Design Career episode by adding your comments to the episode page.
25: Why Instructional Design is Recession-Proof
Jumpstart Your Instructional Design Career
05/30/23 • 17 min
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 instructional design industry is recession-proof, so you can feel more at ease as you embark on or continue your journey in corporate instructional design.
Top reasons to listen to the entire episode:
- Discover the unique advantages that instructional design has over other corporate careers
- Understand how constant change actually ensures job security for designers
- Explore the future of learning and its impact on the industry
Connect with Jill
Jumpstart Your Instructional Design Career Facebook Group
Website
Thanks for joining us on the Jumpstart Your Instructional Design Career podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and review to help us reach even more freedom seekers and aspiring instructional designers.
12: The Software Programs You Must Learn to be Hired as a Corporate ID
Jumpstart Your Instructional Design Career
02/14/23 • 20 min
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 never be able to learn all of these programs. The good news is you don’t have to!
In this episode, I’m going over the software programs you must learn to be hired as a corporate instructional designer or eLearning developer. I’ll explain why job descriptions are often inaccurate, which tools are the most important to learn, and the supplementary programs that can make you more marketable.
Top reasons to listen to the entire episode:
- Understand how to read job postings and determine which programs are relevant
- Discover which tools you need to know to be successful as a corporate ID and which to avoid
- Learn what video and graphics tools will make you more attractive to potential employers
Resources and Links Mentioned:
Sign up for the Applied Instructional Design Academy
Listen to my episode on The Different Types of Learning Delivery Methods
Connect with Jill
Jumpstart Your Instructional Design Career Facebook Group
Website
Thanks for joining us on the Jumpstart Your Instructional Design Career podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and review to help us reach even more freedom seekers and aspiring instructional designers.
7: Choosing a Topic for Your First eLearning Sample for Your Portfolio
Jumpstart Your Instructional Design Career
01/17/23 • 11 min
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 topic for your first eLearning portfolio sample that will help you stand out and which topics you should avoid. This episode is for you if you want to get out of paralysis mode and take action!
Top reasons to listen to the entire episode:
- Understand the importance of your eLearning portfolio and selecting the right topics
- Explore the four categories you should choose from to build an attractive portfolio
- Learn the ideal length of your eLearning modules and how to focus on one specific learning objective
Mentioned Resources:
Connect with Jill
Jumpstart Your Instructional Design Career Facebook Group
Website
Thanks for joining us on the Jumpstart Your Instructional Design Career podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and review to help us reach even more freedom seekers and aspiring instructional designers.
5: Resume Rewriting: Translating Teacher Skills to Instructional Design Skills
Jumpstart Your Instructional Design Career
01/13/23 • 21 min
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, but it’s imperative to have an optimized resume for the industry. In this episode, we’re exploring how to translate your teaching skills for a career in corporate ID.
Top reasons to listen to the entire episode:
- Uncover how your teaching experience qualifies you for a career in corporate ID.
- Understand exactly what your resume needs to focus on to stand out from the hundreds of applications.
- Learn the precise keywords and terminology you need to use to translate your skills for corporate ID.
Mentioned Resources:
Episode 2: How the Instructional Design Process is like Building a House
Episode 4: Ed Tech, Higher Ed, and Corporate IDs - What's the difference?
Resume Rewrite Guide
Articulate 360 License Giveaway
Instructional Design Jumpstart Workshop
Connect with Jill
Jumpstart Your Instructional Design Career Facebook Group
Website
Thanks for joining us on the Jumpstart Your Instructional Design Career podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and review to help us reach even more freedom seekers and aspiring instructional designers.
3: Would I make a good Instructional Designer?
Jumpstart Your Instructional Design Career
01/12/23 • 19 min
What makes a good instructional designer? While it’s essential to understand what instructional design is, it’s another thing to know if it’s right for you. Making a career change is a big decision you can’t take lightly.
You want to be sure you’re choosing a new career you’ll enjoy and succeed in. In this episode, we’ll explore the eight characteristics of a good instructional designer, so you can feel confident knowing you’re on the right path.
Top reasons to listen to the entire episode:
- Discover the non-negotiable trait of all instructional designers.
- Understand the two basic skills necessary to your success as an instructional designer.
- Uncover the unexpected skill instructional designers do NOT need.
Mentioned Resources:
Instructional Story Design by Rance Greene
Portfolio Examples
Non-Designer’s Design Book by Robin Williams
Articulate 360 License Giveaway
Instructional Design Jumpstart Workshop
Connect with Jill
Jumpstart Your Instructional Design Career Facebook Group
Website
Thanks for joining us on the Jumpstart Your Instructional Design Career podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and review to help us reach even more freedom seekers and aspiring instructional designers.
26: What Job Titles Should You Look For When You Apply
Jumpstart Your Instructional Design Career
06/09/23 • 21 min
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 discussing what to search for when looking for a job in corporate instructional design.
Top reasons to listen to the entire episode:
- Understand how to successfully search for corporate instructional design jobs and what keywords you should be using
- Explore the most common job titles and their primary differences
- Learn how to interpret job titles and their descriptions to ensure you're applying for positions that align with your goals
Resources and Links Mentioned:
Sign up for the Applied Instructional Design Academy
Listen to the episode, Articulate Storyline vs. Rise
Listen to the episode, How the Instructional Design Process is Like Building a House
Connect with Jill
Jumpstart Your Instructional Design Career Facebook Group
Website
Thanks for joining us on the Jumpstart Your Instructional Design Career podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and review to help us reach even more freedom seekers and aspiring instructional designers.
24: The Importance of Feedback in Landing an ID Job
Jumpstart Your Instructional Design Career
05/23/23 • 21 min
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 new instructional designer.
Top reasons to listen to the entire episode:
- Learn why feedback is essential during the learning process and how it helps to prepare you for your career
- Understand why who you receive feedback from matters
- Explore how to eliminate newbie mistakes and imply years of experience to your portfolio
Resources and Links Mentioned:
Sign up for the Applied Instructional Design Academy
Listen to the episode, How the Instructional Design Process is Like Building a House
Listen to the episode, Understanding the SAM Framework and How it Compares to ADDIE
Connect with Jill
Jumpstart Your Instructional Design Career Facebook Group
Website
Thanks for joining us on the Jumpstart Your Instructional Design Career podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and review to help us reach even more freedom seekers and aspiring instructional designers.
23: Demystifying the ID Project Kickoff Meeting
Jumpstart Your Instructional Design Career
05/17/23 • 27 min
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 design project kickoff meetings and what you can expect during the process. You'll learn the details of your role in these meetings and the critical questions you should ask to ensure a confident start to your project.
Top reasons to listen to the entire episode:
- Gain clarity on the purpose and objectives of a kickoff meeting and how to conduct one successfully
- Explore the key stakeholders involved and understand your role in the process
- Learn the essential information you need to gather so you can set a strong foundation for your project's success
Resources and Links Mentioned:
Join us this weekend, May 20th and 21st, for a binge-watching session to catch up on our workshop's amazing videos! See you in the Facebook Group
Sign up for the Applied Instructional Design Academy
Connect with Jill
Jumpstart Your Instructional Design Career Facebook Group
Website
Thanks for joining us on the Jumpstart Your Instructional Design Career podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and review to help us reach even more freedom seekers and aspiring instructional designers.
22: The Corporate Instructional Design Hiring Process
Jumpstart Your Instructional Design Career
04/25/23 • 19 min
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 your first job in corporate ID.
Top reasons to listen to the entire episode:
- Understand how long the hiring process can take and why applying is a numbers game
- Explore the multiple steps of the interview process
- Learn what happens when you receive an offer and the steps that follow, such as background and reference checks
Resources and Links Mentioned:
Sign up for the Applied Instructional Design Academy
Connect with Jill:
Connect with Jill
Jumpstart Your Instructional Design Career Facebook Group
Website
Thanks for joining us on the Jumpstart Your Instructional Design Career podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and review to help us reach even more freedom seekers and aspiring instructional designers.
27: What Needs To Be in Your ID Portfolio To Get Hired
Jumpstart Your Instructional Design Career
06/13/23 • 18 min
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 how to create a portfolio that speaks to the job you want
- Learn exactly which deliverables you need in your portfolio to help you stand out with hiring managers
Resources and Links Mentioned:
Listen to the episodes:
- What is an Instructional Design Portfolio?
- Articulate Storyline vs. Rise
- How the Instructional Design Process is Like Building a House
- The Different Types of Learning Delivery Methods
- The Importance of Feedback in Landing an ID Job
Download your free design document template
Connect with Jill
Jumpstart Your Instructional Design Career Facebook Group
Website
Thanks for joining us on the Jumpstart Your Instructional Design Career podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and review to help us reach even more freedom seekers and aspiring instructional designers.
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FAQ
How many episodes does Jumpstart Your Instructional Design Career have?
Jumpstart Your Instructional Design Career currently has 28 episodes available.
What topics does Jumpstart Your Instructional Design Career cover?
The podcast is about Instructional Design, Learning And Development, How To, Podcasts, Education, Business and Careers.
What is the most popular episode on Jumpstart Your Instructional Design Career?
The episode title '26: What Job Titles Should You Look For When You Apply' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on Jumpstart Your Instructional Design Career?
The average episode length on Jumpstart Your Instructional Design Career is 20 minutes.
How often are episodes of Jumpstart Your Instructional Design Career released?
Episodes of Jumpstart Your Instructional Design Career are typically released every 7 days.
When was the first episode of Jumpstart Your Instructional Design Career?
The first episode of Jumpstart Your Instructional Design Career was released on Jan 7, 2023.
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