3 answers
2
Questions
Asked
1128 views
Becoming an Instructional Designer and Working Remotely - Seeking Guidance and Remote Opportunities?
Hi everyone! I am an aspiring instructional designer with a passion for remote work. I hold two master's degrees, one in Distance Education & E-Learning and another in Instructional Technology. Despite my educational background, I am currently facing challenges while applying for jobs on LinkedIn. I would truly appreciate any guidance on how to achieve my goal of becoming an instructional designer and finding remote opportunities.
Login to comment
3 answers
Updated
Jacob’s Answer
It's fantastic to see your passion for instructional design and remote work! With your educational background, you have a solid foundation to pursue your career goals. Here are some thoughtful and advice-oriented steps to help you achieve your goal of becoming an instructional designer and finding remote opportunities:
1. Tailor Your Resume and Portfolio: Customize your resume and portfolio to highlight your expertise in instructional design, distance education, and e-learning. Showcase your projects, achievements, and relevant skills to make a strong impression on potential employers.
2. Network in the Industry: Connect with professionals in the instructional design field on LinkedIn and other platforms. Engage in conversations, join relevant groups, and attend virtual industry events to expand your network and gain insights into remote job opportunities.
3. Online Job Platforms: Besides LinkedIn, explore other online job platforms that focus on remote work opportunities. Websites like FlexJobs, Remote.co, and We Work Remotely often list instructional design roles with remote options.
4. Showcase Remote Work Skills: Demonstrate your ability to work effectively in a remote setting. Emphasize your organizational, time management, and communication skills, as they are crucial for remote work success.
5. Freelancing and Contract Work: Consider starting with freelance or contract projects to gain experience and build your portfolio. Many companies and organizations seek remote instructional designers for short-term projects.
6. Continuous Learning: Stay updated with the latest trends and tools in instructional design and e-learning. Continuous learning showcases your commitment to professional growth and makes you more valuable to potential employers.
7. Virtual Collaboration: Familiarize yourself with virtual collaboration tools like Zoom, Slack, and Trello. Remote work often relies on efficient communication and collaboration platforms.
8. Volunteer and Intern: Offer your instructional design expertise to educational institutions, non-profit organizations, or startups as a volunteer or intern. This can provide practical experience and make you more appealing to remote employers.
9. Leverage Social Media: Use social media platforms to share your work, knowledge, and insights about instructional design. Building a personal brand can attract remote job opportunities and connect you with like-minded professionals.
10. Be Persistent: Finding remote opportunities may take time and perseverance. Don't get discouraged by initial rejections. Continue applying, networking, and refining your skills.
Remember, the remote job market is continually evolving, so staying proactive and adaptable is essential. With your dedication and passion for instructional design, you are on the right path to achieving your career goals. Best of luck in your journey!
1. Tailor Your Resume and Portfolio: Customize your resume and portfolio to highlight your expertise in instructional design, distance education, and e-learning. Showcase your projects, achievements, and relevant skills to make a strong impression on potential employers.
2. Network in the Industry: Connect with professionals in the instructional design field on LinkedIn and other platforms. Engage in conversations, join relevant groups, and attend virtual industry events to expand your network and gain insights into remote job opportunities.
3. Online Job Platforms: Besides LinkedIn, explore other online job platforms that focus on remote work opportunities. Websites like FlexJobs, Remote.co, and We Work Remotely often list instructional design roles with remote options.
4. Showcase Remote Work Skills: Demonstrate your ability to work effectively in a remote setting. Emphasize your organizational, time management, and communication skills, as they are crucial for remote work success.
5. Freelancing and Contract Work: Consider starting with freelance or contract projects to gain experience and build your portfolio. Many companies and organizations seek remote instructional designers for short-term projects.
6. Continuous Learning: Stay updated with the latest trends and tools in instructional design and e-learning. Continuous learning showcases your commitment to professional growth and makes you more valuable to potential employers.
7. Virtual Collaboration: Familiarize yourself with virtual collaboration tools like Zoom, Slack, and Trello. Remote work often relies on efficient communication and collaboration platforms.
8. Volunteer and Intern: Offer your instructional design expertise to educational institutions, non-profit organizations, or startups as a volunteer or intern. This can provide practical experience and make you more appealing to remote employers.
9. Leverage Social Media: Use social media platforms to share your work, knowledge, and insights about instructional design. Building a personal brand can attract remote job opportunities and connect you with like-minded professionals.
10. Be Persistent: Finding remote opportunities may take time and perseverance. Don't get discouraged by initial rejections. Continue applying, networking, and refining your skills.
Remember, the remote job market is continually evolving, so staying proactive and adaptable is essential. With your dedication and passion for instructional design, you are on the right path to achieving your career goals. Best of luck in your journey!
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello Akela !
What a very exciting field of work and accomplishment in education you have ! I am not sure how long you have been experiencing the issue of no interviews or job offers and I would like to contribute some food for thought.
You said that you have been applying for jobs on Linked In with no results. I have two suggestions. One is to use Indeed and many other sites for employment opportunities, not only Linked In. Also explore various newspapers' employment ads on line and see if they have employment sections with information on where to submit your resume/CV. Secondly, how about sending a short introduction video along with a resume and cover letter ? You can discuss your education and experience and interests and why you would like to work for that company. This may make you stand out among the possibly hundreds of people on line who may be applying for the same job, but only sent what was requested - the resume and cover letter via e-mail. If you have any work that you have created, indicate that samples of your work are available upon request. Another thing I'll add is that since most applications are done on line, complete the on line process but also obtain the company's mailing address and send a hard copy of everything to them. I did that once and it worked ! There's something to be said for the old school envelope in hand that may still make a difference.
I also greatly enjoy working remotely. It seems as though your field was tailor made for remote work. It greatly increases your probability for interviews because the job can be anywhere while you're in New York.
Another suggestion is to make visits to your former school(s) if it was a brick and mortar and talk to people and look on the bulletin boards for any job openings. With two masters degrees, you can consider tutoring or teaching on line in the meantime. There are tons of jobs for remote tutoring of various kinds on Indeed. Although it may seem like a struggle right now, I think that being tenacious and broadening your resources will help immensely.
Best wishes to you in this most exciting and innovative career !
What a very exciting field of work and accomplishment in education you have ! I am not sure how long you have been experiencing the issue of no interviews or job offers and I would like to contribute some food for thought.
You said that you have been applying for jobs on Linked In with no results. I have two suggestions. One is to use Indeed and many other sites for employment opportunities, not only Linked In. Also explore various newspapers' employment ads on line and see if they have employment sections with information on where to submit your resume/CV. Secondly, how about sending a short introduction video along with a resume and cover letter ? You can discuss your education and experience and interests and why you would like to work for that company. This may make you stand out among the possibly hundreds of people on line who may be applying for the same job, but only sent what was requested - the resume and cover letter via e-mail. If you have any work that you have created, indicate that samples of your work are available upon request. Another thing I'll add is that since most applications are done on line, complete the on line process but also obtain the company's mailing address and send a hard copy of everything to them. I did that once and it worked ! There's something to be said for the old school envelope in hand that may still make a difference.
I also greatly enjoy working remotely. It seems as though your field was tailor made for remote work. It greatly increases your probability for interviews because the job can be anywhere while you're in New York.
Another suggestion is to make visits to your former school(s) if it was a brick and mortar and talk to people and look on the bulletin boards for any job openings. With two masters degrees, you can consider tutoring or teaching on line in the meantime. There are tons of jobs for remote tutoring of various kinds on Indeed. Although it may seem like a struggle right now, I think that being tenacious and broadening your resources will help immensely.
Best wishes to you in this most exciting and innovative career !
Warren Lubow
More than 30 years in technology Industry with Over 20+ years at the Executive Level in Business Development & Sales, Also an expert in Automotive, Cloud, IoT, and more
56
Answers
Updated
Warren’s Answer
Try getting some professional assistance to rework your linked in profile - You need to think of yourself as the product and properly market yourself, because you have expertise in these other areas does not make you and expert "salesperson" and you need to learn some of the tricks about applying for jobs - Jobs submission especially thru LinkedIN or any other job site - Your Resume is first read by an "AI TOOL" NOT A HUMAN
your resume has to have all the proper buzzwords and information to get a "High Score" via the AI tools to get past them as the gatekeeper to get to a human -
Try leveraging your network and let them know what you are looking for - get out there the real world and attend any live venue forum with your interests where you can network in real life and not online
your resume has to have all the proper buzzwords and information to get a "High Score" via the AI tools to get past them as the gatekeeper to get to a human -
Try leveraging your network and let them know what you are looking for - get out there the real world and attend any live venue forum with your interests where you can network in real life and not online