Times are changing. Getting a job as a fresher is no longer so easy, I guess. At least that’s what the popular job portals in India tell me. I was checking some popular job portals and found that most employers require candidates with atleast 1 year of experience in Instructional Design. This does say a lot about the current job market.
This does not mean getting a job as a stark fresher is impossible. This means as a fresher with 0 experience in Instructional Design, YOU need to work hard to make it happen.
I have been training people in Instructional Design myself and I understand how important it is for them to get a job. This is when I thought of some ways in which freshers might be able to fight their way through this tough market.
So here are some tips for freshers looking for jobs in Instructional Design:
Decide what you want to do
The first step is to spend some time reading through job descriptions and decide what you want to do. Never go for brand names. Always go by job descriptions and your interests. For example, if you like working with technology, you can consider trying for a curriculum developer role in a software company. On the other hand if you like working on various subjects, you can join a company that is into custom e-learning. At the outset, be very clear about the kind of work you want to do. Remember Instructional Design is very vast!
Gain some basic Instructional Design skills
If you do not have time to take up a 3 month certification course in Instructional Design, try finding a mentor who can help you out or try a short duration course to gain some basic Instructional Design skills.
Understand Instructional Design and what Instructional Designers do
It is not important to remember instructional theories. It is more important for you to understand what instructional design is all about in simple terms and have a good understanding of the activities involved in creating training material (online and classroom). Most importantly, try to find out what freshers are expected to do when they join organizations.
Get your portfolio ready
As a fresher,having a portfolio might be not so easy. However remember times have changed. Employers want to hire people who can deliver and bring out results. Your portfolio can have sample storyboards. Carry some sample storyboards while you go for an interview.
If you know how to work with rapid e-learning tools, create a 2 minute learning video and add it to your portfolio. If you do not know how to work with a rapid e-learning tool, spend some time learning the tool on your own. Tools like Captivate are easy to use and easy to learn too.
Highlight your interest/knowledge/skills in your CV
When you write your CV, highlight your interest/knowledge/skills in Instructional Design. You might have been a lecturer in a college or a technical writer. While you write about your achievements, make sure you also communicate why someone must hire you.
Do not expect HR personnels to call you
Be proactive. Keep your eyes open for all kinds of opportunities. Submit your CV in all job portals. Contact some HR consultant and inform him/her that you are on the lookout.
Do not lose heart
If you fail in one or two job interview, remember that is not the end. Keep trying. Be patient. Things will work out if you work towards your goal persistently.
Do not stop learning
Let job interviews not distract you. Let failures not discourage you. During your free time, read about Instructional Design, practice writing and take up visualization exercises. Remember the more you practice, you will get better and better.
Learn from failures
Make a note of the questions asked in the interview. Reflect and think how you could have done better. If you attend 2 or 3 interviews, you will get an idea about the kind of questions people ask and what they expect. Prepare accordingly.
Network with Other Learning Professionals
Join a community for learning professionals such as Instructional Designers Community of India. Network with learning professionals and try finding opportunity through people.
Hope these tips help you.
If you want to add on to this, please do it in the Comments section.
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