Jumpstart Your Instructional Design Career

Money and time are the two biggest things holding people back from starting their ID transition and I get it, it’s a frustrating catch-22. In this episode, I’m sharing exactly what you can do when both are working against you, including a budget-friendly, time-friendly tool that employers genuinely want to see on your portfolio. Top reasons to listen to the entire episode: * Discover why Rise is the budget-friendly, time-friendly alternative to Storyline that employers genuinely want to see * Learn how to create a high-quality, professional sample within Rise’s 30-day free trial without falling into the “it’s easy so I’ll wing it” trap Full Show Notes Here! Resources and Links Mentioned: * Sign up for the 30-Day Rise Sprint * Read the Substack article on planning your Rise sample before your free trial starts * Join the Jumpstart Your Instructional Design Career Facebook Group Connect with Jill Instagram Jumpstart Your Instructional Design Career Facebook Group LinkedIn 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. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jumpstartyouridcareer.substack.com

You've put in the work on your portfolio, but are employers even making it past the first page? After reviewing portfolios from my community, I kept seeing the same mistakes come up over and over. In this episode, I'm sharing the top five things that cause hiring managers to close a portfolio within the first ten seconds so you can fix them before it costs you the job. Top reasons to listen to the entire episode: Find out the five most common portfolio mistakes that send hiring managers running, including the Storyline newbie mistake that immediately signals you're new to the software Learn exactly which samples belong in a corporate ID portfolio and the five minimum pieces every portfolio needs Discover why your portfolio is marketing, not just a collection of your work, and how that one shift changes everything about how you build it Full Show Notes Here! Resources and Links Mentioned: Episode 27: What Needs to Be in Your ID Portfolio to Get Hired Subscribe to Jumpstart Your ID Career on Substack Join the Jumpstart Your Instructional Design Career Facebook Group Connect with Jill Instagram Jumpstart Your Instructional Design Career Facebook Group LinkedIn 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. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jumpstartyouridcareer.substack.com

Every summer, people say they're going to make progress on their instructional design transition, and then August comes and nothing happened. In this episode, I'm giving you the exact nine-week plan I would follow to learn Storyline and build a portfolio sample that actually impresses hiring managers. No more dabbling. No more overwhelm. Just a real plan. Top reasons to listen to the entire episode: Get the full nine-week breakdown for learning ID fundamentals, mastering Storyline basics and advanced features, and building a polished portfolio sample from scratch Learn why scaffolding your learning, and getting feedback at two key checkpoints, is what separates a portfolio that wows from one that falls flat Find out how to use AI as both a productivity tool and an accountability partner to stay on track all summer long Full Show Notes Here! Resources and Links Mentioned: Sign-up for the Summer ID Roadmap Masterclass Join the Articulate License Giveaway Subscribe to Jumpstart Your ID Career on Substack Join the Jumpstart Your Instructional Design Career Facebook Group Connect with Jill Instagram Jumpstart Your Instructional Design Career Facebook Group LinkedIn 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. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jumpstartyouridcareer.substack.com

If you've been staring at a blank screen trying to figure out what to create your portfolio sample on, this episode is for you. I'm sharing a simple AI hack that flips the script, instead of you feeding AI all the context, you let it ask YOU the questions. The result? Way better output, and a portfolio topic you're actually excited about. Top reasons to listen to the entire episode: Learn the simple AI prompting shift that helps you get unstuck and start your portfolio sample faster Discover how to turn your hobbies and everyday interests into a real corporate training topic Get the details on the Summer Instructional Design Roadmap masterclass and the Articulate Storyline license giveaway Full Show Notes Here! Resources and Links Mentioned: Sign-up for the Summer ID Roadmap Masterclass Join the Articulate License Giveaway Subscribe to Jumpstart Your ID Career on Substack Join the Jumpstart Your Instructional Design Career Facebook Group Connect with Jill Instagram Jumpstart Your Instructional Design Career Facebook Group LinkedIn 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. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jumpstartyouridcareer.substack.com

You've seen the posts — experienced IDs saying they can't find work. But does that mean you don't have a chance as someone new to the field? I'm giving you the real story behind what's going on, and why new IDs are still getting hired every day. Top reasons to listen to the entire episode: Find out the real reasons experienced IDs are struggling — and the lesson it holds for you at any stage of your career Learn why a portfolio and up-to-date tech skills are non-negotiable in today's job market, no matter how long you've been in the field Discover why being new to the field might actually give you an unexpected advantage over seasoned IDs Full Show Notes Here! Resources and Links Mentioned: Sign up for the Summer ID Roadmap Masterclass Subscribe to Jumpstart Your ID Career on Substack Join the Jumpstart Your Instructional Design Career Facebook Group Enter the Articulate Storyline License Giveaway Contest Connect with Jill Instagram Jumpstart Your Instructional Design Career Facebook Group LinkedIn 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. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jumpstartyouridcareer.substack.com

After two and a half years away from the mic, I'm back — and this isn't just a podcast comeback. There's so much more coming, and this episode is where it all starts. Top reasons to listen to the entire episode: Find out where I've been, why the podcast had to pause, and what's coming next Learn about the brand new Instructional Design Transition Knowledge Hub launching on Substack — and why you need to be there Discover how to connect, get support, and never feel alone in this transition Full Show Notes Here! Resources and Links Mentioned: Sign up for the Applied Instructional Design Academy Subscribe to Jumpstart Your ID Career on Substack Join the Jumpstart Your Instructional Design Career Facebook Group Connect with Jill Instagram Jumpstart Your Instructional Design Career Facebook Group LinkedIn 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. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jumpstartyouridcareer.substack.com

Will AI Replace Instructional Designers? It's the question I hear more than almost any other right now and I'm not going to give you a vague non-answer. I'm sharing my honest take on whether AI is going to replace instructional designers and what you actually need to be focused on right now. Top reasons to listen to the entire episode: My honest answer on whether AI will replace instructional designers in our working lifetime backed by real data from 60 job postings Learn what core ID skills still matter most and exactly where AI fits in Understand why the noise you're hearing about AI is not the full picture and what's actually happening in the field right now Full Show Notes Here! Episode Mentioned: Episode 28: I'm Back! An Update and What You Can Expect Moving Forward Resources and Links Mentioned: Sign up for the Applied Instructional Design Academy Subscribe to Jumpstart Your ID Career on Substack Join the Jumpstart Your Instructional Design Career Facebook Group Connect with Jill Instagram Jumpstart Your Instructional Design Career Facebook Group LinkedIn 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. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jumpstartyouridcareer.substack.com

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 Full Show Notes Here! 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 Instagram Jumpstart Your Instructional Design Career Facebook Group LinkedIn 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. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jumpstartyouridcareer.substack.com

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 Full Show Notes Here! 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 Instagram Jumpstart Your Instructional Design Career Facebook Group LinkedIn 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. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jumpstartyouridcareer.substack.com

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 Full Show Notes Here! Connect with Jill Instagram Jumpstart Your Instructional Design Career Facebook Group LinkedIn 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. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jumpstartyouridcareer.substack.com

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 Full Show Notes Here! 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 Instagram Jumpstart Your Instructional Design Career Facebook Group LinkedIn 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. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jumpstartyouridcareer.substack.com

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 Full Show Notes Here! 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 Instagram Jumpstart Your Instructional Design Career Facebook Group LinkedIn 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. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jumpstartyouridcareer.substack.com

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 Full Show Notes Here! Resources and Links Mentioned: Sign up for the Applied Instructional Design Academy Connect with Jill: Instagram Facebook Group LinkedIn Website Connect with Jill Instagram Jumpstart Your Instructional Design Career Facebook Group LinkedIn 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. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jumpstartyouridcareer.substack.com

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 instructional designer. You'll learn the three phases of the transition process and what you need to consider when preparing for your career change to have as smooth of a transition as possible. Top reasons to listen to the entire episode: Learn the three stages of becoming an instructional designer Understand why taking shortcuts will ultimately backfire Gain insight into how long these phases take so you can set realistic expectations and Full Show Notes Here! Mentioned Episodes What is an Instructional Design Portfolio? Should I Get a Master's Degree in Instructional Design? Questions to Ask When Considering an Instructional Design Academy Software Programs You Need to Learn to Get an ID Job Connect with Jill Instagram Jumpstart Your Instructional Design Career Facebook Group LinkedIn 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. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jumpstartyouridcareer.substack.com

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, how do you know which one, if any, is best for you? In this episode, I'm sharing the questions to consider when choosing an instructional design academy. Top reasons to listen to the entire episode: Explore the benefits of enrolling in an instructional design academy and decide if it's the right fit for you Learn the questions you need to ask to determine if a program aligns with your career goals Discover the red flag to look out for when selecting a program Full Show Notes Here! Resources and Links Mentioned: Sign up for my free 5-day workshop Sign up for the Applied Instructional Design Academy Related Episodes: Should I Get a Master's Degree in Instructional Design? What is an Instructional Design Portfolio? Ed Tech, Higher Ed, and Corporate IDs: What's the Difference? Articulate Storyline vs. Rise Connect with Jill Instagram Jumpstart Your Instructional Design Career Facebook Group LinkedIn 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. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jumpstartyouridcareer.substack.com

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 don't need a master's degree to succeed in corporate instructional design. I'll share the pros and cons of having a degree and what you should do instead to land your first job. Top reasons to listen to the entire episode: Explore the purpose of a master's degree and the scenarios in which they may be useful Understand where degrees fall short and what corporate employers are actually looking for Learn how to showcase what you can do from a practical perspective and what educational options you should consider instead Full Show Notes Here! Resources and Links Mentioned: Sign up for my free 5-day workshop - Get the Roadmap for Your Instructional Design Career Learn more about the Applied Instructional Design Academy Listen to Ed Tech, Higher Ed, and Corporate IDs - What's the Difference? Connect with Jill Instagram Jumpstart Your Instructional Design Career Facebook Group LinkedIn 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. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jumpstartyouridcareer.substack.com

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 the field? In this episode, we’re going over how to use volunteer projects to gain experience in corporate instructional design. I’ll share the benefits of completing a volunteer project, how to find these opportunities, and what to do once you get it. Top reasons to listen to the entire episode: Understand why you should take advantage of volunteer projects Learn where to look for volunteer opportunities and how to communicate your services Explore the importance of treating your volunteer experience as a real project and how to manage the limitations that may come along with volunteer work Full Show Notes Here! Mentioned Resources: Applied Instructional Design Academy What is an Instructional Design Portfolio Connect with Jill Instagram Jumpstart Your Instructional Design Career Facebook Group LinkedIn 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. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jumpstartyouridcareer.substack.com

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, most people applying for jobs in instructional design will never be hired simply because they aren’t doing the prep work. Top reasons to listen: Discover how to get hired as an instructional designer with no formal experience. Learn how to prepare yourself to stand out. Full Show Notes Here! Mentioned Resources and Links Free 5-Day Instructional Design Jumpstart Workshop - Monday, April 17th Connect with Jill Instagram Jumpstart Your Instructional Design Career Facebook Group LinkedIn 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. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jumpstartyouridcareer.substack.com

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. In this episode, we’re comparing Articulate Storyline and Rise. You’ll learn the primary purpose of each program, the learning curves, and other significant differences so that you can feel confident deciding which tool to use for your first project. Top reasons to listen to the entire episode: Understand the major difference between Storyline and Rise, their learning curves, and their purposes Learn what it means to use a desktop-based vs. a web-based authoring tool Explore the concept of responsive eLearning and creating engaging courses Full Show Notes Here! Resources and Links Mentioned: Sign up for the Applied Instructional Design Academy Listen to my episode on Software Programs You Need to Learn Check out some portfolio samples Connect with Jill Instagram Jumpstart Your Instructional Design Career Facebook Group LinkedIn 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. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jumpstartyouridcareer.substack.com

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 when you’re just starting in the field. In this episode, I’m reviewing why you need a portfolio as a new corporate instructional designer. I’ll share the benefits of having a portfolio and how to use a portfolio to prove your skills and get hired. Top reasons to listen to the entire episode: Explore the value of a well-crafted portfolio and how it helps you stand out from the crowd Learn how a member of the Applied Instructional Design Academy used her portfolio to land two job offers and negotiate a $6,000 salary increase Understand how to align your portfolio with the job you want and prove your skills through deliverables Full Show Notes Here! Resources and Links Mentioned: Sign up for the Applied Instructional Design Academy Listen to my episode on choosing a topic for your portfolio Listen to my episode on software programs Listen to How the ID Process is Like Building a House Connect with Jill Instagram Jumpstart Your Instructional Design Career Facebook Group LinkedIn 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. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jumpstartyouridcareer.substack.com