Instructional Design Interview Tips

Watch the full guide to becoming an instructional designer: • How to Become an Instr...
Acing the interview is a key step in landing an instructional design job. In this video, I share some of the interviewing tips that I've learned over the years to help you walk into your next instructional design interview prepared.
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Map It: amzn.to/3f137mR
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Design For How People Learn: amzn.to/3CLtrNM
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Full writeup: www.devlinpeck.com/posts/vide...
0:00 Intro
0:39 Your Background
1:49 Your Process
4:00 Working with SMEs
6:15 Your Tech Stack
7:08 Science & Theory
8:48 Your Questions
9:01 Your Responsibilities
9:57 Analysis?
11:14 Conclusion

[@DevlinPeckYT]

Grab the FREE interactive "Become an ID" checklist: www.devlinpeck.com/become-an-id-checklist

[@arielliu6782]

I've been asked a lot which part of ADDIE is my favourite. I think the interviewers are OK with ADDIE, all in all, it's the most used model in instructional design. Instead of simply explaining the process, I feel they do like to see if you have any focus during the ADDIE process, especially for big companies. Sometimes they just hire an e-learning development company to do the development part, and as an ID, you are more responsible for A and the first D. My suggestion is to read the job description carefully and identify what kind of person they're looking for this specific position.

[@DevlinPeckYT]

Good suggestion! Thanks Ariel 😃

[@parathkumara9505]

Hai Can you share your sample work for my learning

[@InsubordinationFreak]

Devlin, just want to thank you on your multitude of videos: action mapping, portfolios, models, SMES, articulate. I learnt more from you than from my Learning Design course. I have just scored a job after building skills for 4 months and your generous sharing of your knowledge and clear explanations are a significant contributor to this. I even watched this mock interview the afternoon before and it helped me with my scenario presentation. Thanks to all three of you.

[@DevlinPeckYT]

Amazing work!!! Congrats on landing the job 😃. So glad that we were able to help.

[@wennifer1970]

I would also add a SMEs role is often secondary to their primary job responsibility. And this may lead to them ghosting you because they don't see the bigger picture. Very rarely will you find an SME whose only job is being an SME. To avoid this pitfall, I'd recommend speaking with their manager so they can then communicate to the SME the important role they will play in your project. Perhaps even set up a meeting between all three of you to establish some ground rules and expectations.

[@DevlinPeckYT]

Great point, Wendy! Thanks for drawing attention to that and sharing this suggestion 😃

[@brittniyoung7893]

Questions I was often asked by interviewers were focused on project management, workload and how I would address situations where a project has been scrapped or put on hold. Thanks for sharing these interview tips.

[@DevlinPeckYT]

You're welcome, and thanks so much for adding these additional questions to think about.

[@PoojaSharma-bj4cm]

Hi Devlin, Thank you for this amazing share. I recently got a job as Instructional Designer, and a huge credit goes to your insightful videos on Instructional Design. You are my role model in this field.

[@DevlinPeckYT]

Hi Pooja!! Huge congratulations on the job 🎉🎉🎉. I’m really glad to hear that the content is helping 😃.

[@PoojaSharma-bj4cm]

@@DevlinPeckYT thank you ☺️

[@lydiachong6157]

I was asked to describe a time where attention to detail was important and where my attention to detail led to success

[@DevlinPeckYT]

Nice one! Thanks for sharing this question for people to think about :)

[@emisharma1572]

I just want to say thank you for all your videos and classes. You have truly changed my entire approach, helped me gain confidence, and I already have recruiters reaching out to me.

[@brittanybrock6304]

This was so helpful! I have my first Instructional design interview tomorrow after 3 years! I feel so much more confident after this video!

[@nesmasoliman733]

Thanks for sharing your precious information Devlin

[@DevlinPeckYT]

No problem, Nesma :)

[@mondu2121]

Thank you Devlin Peck. Your videos are very helpful and full of great tips.

[@DevlinPeckYT]

Thanks for watching, Monika :) Glad to hear that the videos are helping.

[@JuliaDemiELT]

Thank you so much, Devlin! It's really helpful!

[@DevlinPeckYT]

You’re welcome! Happy to help, Julia 😃

[@RajeshMenontechnospirituality]

Thanks, Devlin. Very useful info.

[@DevlinPeckYT]

You’re welcome! Thanks for watching 😊

[@bushramahmood5366]

Pretty helpful video. Thanks for spreading knowledge. Keep it up 👍

[@DevlinPeckYT]

Thanks Bushra! Happy to help 😃

[@Daria-up8tg]

Your tips are EXTRA useful.

[@DevlinPeckYT]

Thanks!! I appreciate you supporting the channel with these comments and views :D

[@svetlanachernysheva5208]

Great! I'm sooo happy to find your channel! Amazong! Thanks a lot!

[@DevlinPeckYT]

You’re welcome! We’re glad that you found it, too 😃

[@chumamagxala6214]

Thank you Devlin this will be handy for ma interview tomorrow.

[@DevlinPeckYT]

You're welcome! Good luck!!

[@frizzlezap]

Thank you for this video and the others you’ve made! I had an interview this week and it helped me a lot! I hadn’t interviewed in so long, I felt so rusty. Thank you! 🙌🏻

[@DevlinPeckYT]

You’re welcome! I hope that the interview went well and I’m glad that the content is helping 😃

[@lydiachong6157]

This is incredibly helpful!

[@DevlinPeckYT]

I'm glad to hear it!

[@user-ib3et8eu3s]

Thank You!❤❤❤

[@albertalandlordswatch]

Very helpful - thanks so much!

[@DevlinPeckYT]

You're very welcome! Thanks for watching :D

[@JessieCarty]

More great content! I have had two interviews so far but both were with an HR person. I haven't made it to the department level yet (although one interview was just yesterday!). The first I didn't even realize I was interviewing for a course designer position, I had applied for a different job that was filled so that didn't really go too well. The other asked basically these: what do I bring to the job, what is my best skill for ID, how do I do with teamwork, how do I do in a fast-paced work environment. Hope that can help some others! I think my next step is to get into that Storyline course so I'll have more industry tech to share instead of explaining how my existing experience can translate ;)

[@DevlinPeckYT]

Thanks Jessie! I will put together a resource with common interview questions eventually and this will definitely help 😃. And we look forward to seeing you in the project lab!

[@hatemsoliman4500]

Thanks for sharing 😊👍

[@DevlinPeckYT]

Thanks for watching :D

[@shiradentz682]

thank you, Devlin, your videos are always very helpful! In this video, you mention finding other sources that focus on typical processes and I'm taking you up on your invitation to write here to ask for suggestions on where I might find some good ones. thanks so much again!

[@DevlinPeckYT]

Thanks Shira! And I may have to watch the video back, but you're referring to design and deveopment processes? Like action map, storyboard, prototype, final product?

[@Laura_Parenti]

@@DevlinPeckYT I know the OP didn't respond, but I think she was asking about the typical design process (question: What is your ID process?) if you don't have actual ID experience. I like your video on designing effective/engaging learning solutions with story-based learning scenarios and I think you did a great job highlighting your process with the design document, action map, text-based storyboard, prototype, etc. I have a second interview for a corporate ID job this Tuesday, so thank you for all of your videos and for so freely sharing your knowledge & experience!

[@antapps]

Thank you!

[@DevlinPeckYT]

You're welcome! :)

[@linetediaz.807]

Watching this once more before my interview tomorrow. Thank you so much again for all this wonderful content that is timeless.

[@DevlinPeckYT]

You're very welcome! How did it go? :D

[@linetediaz.807]

@@DevlinPeckYT I was fast tracked to the final stage! I have 48 hours to complete a demo project. Then interview about the process on Monday! Thank you so much for all your content. Getting into the project lab was the best investment ♥️

[@alexcasillas8668]

Great video!

[@DevlinPeckYT]

Thanks Alex! I appreciate it 😃

[@AA-ul9qh]

Very useful Background: Education, Technology, Design Process: ADDIE Design:, design doc., Story-board, Prototype Development: Experience working with SME: : Reaching out, building rapport, & Focusing communications Your Tech Stack (tools): Theoretical understanding & knowledge: SAM for agile approach, Gannage, Kirkpatrick for eval., Bloom for objective At end of interview: Ask about the score of expected responsibilities to understand the role. How are training needs identified?

[@DevlinPeckYT]

Glad that this was helpful 😃

[@mirzamohammedalibaig]

Hey Devlin, Thanks a ton... Lot of insightful of interviewers side.

[@DevlinPeckYT]

You're welcome :) Thanks for watching the video!

[@mirzamohammedalibaig]

Thanks a ton devlin, Cracked 3 rounds today Final round is to submit A case study to create E learning module in articulate SL 360.

[@DevlinPeckYT]

@@mirzamohammedalibaig Nice! Check out my SL workshops if you need some ideas or guidance. Good luck and keep us updated!!

[@kristinseemuthwhaley5720]

Hi Devlin, thanks for this video! Do you have (or do you know of anyone who has) a list of questions that get asked in instruction design interviews? I'm coming from higher education and we had several such lists circulating for academic interviews, but this new sector is very different for me. I've seen some in the comment here and would love to see more.

[@93jaishree]

You are a messenger of GOD, Devlin

[@DevlinPeckYT]

Haha thanks so much! I appreciate the support.

[@93jaishree]

@@DevlinPeckYT trust me I take your name in all of my interviews that how your videos helped me in transitioning :D you'll be getting more recognition ;)

[@DevlinPeckYT]

@@93jaishree Thank you! That's very nice of you :D

[@NDemanuele1]

This was helpful! I have an interview tomorrow. This opportunity is essentially with a school. From the job description there is a very long list of responsibilities where it seems the ID associate will be wearing many hats which is not a problem. I have a lot of experience working in this environment. However, a question comes to mind: How will my time be distributed? What would be the ratio between ID tasks and the other tasks? I'm assuming this would be a valid question to ask? Also, since this is a school, I'm not expecting them to have an Articulate subscription. Is it really a big deciding factor which LMS or tools an employer uses? If hired, this would be my first ID job. Thanks

[@ooshiikurai]

I was asked “how do you compensate for different learning styles in your design?”

[@DevlinPeckYT]

Oh no! Learning styles have been debunked, so that generally isn't a great approach. You could discuss ways that you introduce variability into your learning experiences to keep things unexpected / fresh (can help with engagement)

[@classiechildress2453]

I’m on the second phase of my interview process and this video definitely helped. Are there any tips on doing a presentation for the second interview?

[@DevlinPeckYT]

Hi! I'm glad that you're enjoying the content :D. And I would suggest showing off your creativity but also showing that you can follow the prompt. And try to keep it engaging!

[@dawnmoore144]

@Devin I was asked to provide digital learning content I created without proprietary information. Do you have a video on how to build an eLearning portfolio?

[@kimberleygrace99]

These tips are useful, thank you. Do you use Powerpoint or Slides for this presentation? Or Canva? I am interested as I want to use this for my job today! Thank you for your answer in advance!

[@DevlinPeckYT]

Thanks for asking! I use PowerPoint to create the slides and OBS to record :D

[@stephzacharias]

I graduated from an Instructional System's Master's Program in December. Currently, I am a Special Education teacher but I have secured my first Instructional Design interview. I am a little nervous because my only ID internship during graduate school was with an education company to help design trainings. The position that I am interviewing for is located at a state college. Any tips for this interview? As part of the job description, they mention a Quality Standard Rubric, any idea what this means? Thank you!

[@kandimallareddy9118]

Hi Devlin. In my interview they were asked me where u can apply Bloom's toxanomy, what are the gap analysis, storytelling and storyboarding and explain a rela time project. So, how could I get answers for these all. Is there a way in your sources? Please let me know. That would be more helpful

[@DevlinPeckYT]

Good question, Kandimalla! Here's a video about Bloom's taxonomy / learning objectives that should help: kzbin.info/www/bejne/h4mqgJ2wmLaXnrM

[@lydiachong6157]

I was asked to rate my knowledge of Articulate Storyline

[@DevlinPeckYT]

That sounds like a tricky question...I hope that you said 10 out of 10, haha.

[@melisakohler7262]

Hi Devlin! how's it going? Question: where do you recommend studying to become an ID? Thanx

[@DevlinPeckYT]

Hi Melisa! Going well, thanks for commenting 😃. I think that this KZbin channel is a good place to start, but I may be biased, haha. Check out my recent video on whether you need an ID degree if you’re considering a formal program.

[@mandeepmoondi8967]

do you have a video to help prepare for a second interview as an instructional designer?

[@DevlinPeckYT]

Yes, we have a couple of mock interview sessions with hiring managers that may help 😃. Good luck and let us know how it goes!

[@dlstringer]

How do you get experience with the tech tools when you are a traditional teacher? I'm self taught when it comes to Photoshop, Illustrator, and ID. I don't have experience with the others.

[@DevlinPeckYT]

Storyline will be a good one to learn! I'd suggest downloading a free trial and trying to build some projects :D. There's content on this channel to help (the "Getting Started with Articulate Storyline 360" workshop is a good one).

[@Laura_Parenti]

Free trials are the way to go! I like LinkedIn Learning and basically finding any course that isn't just a passive experience but also has me using the technology so that I learn it better. I am also coming from teaching and self-taught in many of the techs I used in the classroom. I realize your comment was 5 months ago, but if you haven't yet found the LinkedIn Group Teaching: A Path to L&D and their website with completely free resources, i highly recommend it! Devlin's video with the founder, Sara Stevick is what introduced me to the group.