Getting Started With No Prior Experience

Landing your first instructional design job or freelance gig can feel daunting, especially if you’re new to the field.

The good news is that you don’t need a long resume of instructional design experience to start building a successful career.

This post covers eight proven strategies for finding your first job, building a portfolio, networking, and standing out to potential clients or employers. 

With the right approach, you can start building a rewarding career even if you don't have the experience yet.

Let's get started!

1. Build a Portfolio That Showcases Your Skills

A strong portfolio is essential for demonstrating your capabilities to potential employers and clients.

Since instructional design is a practical, results-oriented field, hiring managers and clients want to see real examples of your work. If you’re just starting, focus on building a sample portfolio with a range of projects that highlight your skills.

Key Portfolio Pieces to Include:

• Sample E-Learning Modules: Create sample modules using tools like Articulate Storyline or Adobe Captivate to showcase your technical and design skills.
  
  
• Storyboards and Course Outlines: Include a few storyboards or course outlines to show your ability to organize content and structure a course effectively.
  
  
• Multimedia and Interactive Content: Demonstrate your creativity by adding interactive quizzes, video lessons, or scenario-based activities.
  
  
• Instructional Documents: Include job aids, quick guides, or assessment examples to show you understand various forms of instructional content.
  
  

How to Build Your Portfolio

Use free trials of e-learning tools to create sample projects. Offer to design short training modules for local businesses, nonprofits, or personal connections.

Complete assignments from instructional design certificate programs, such as the E-Learning Instructional Design Certificate from Oregon State University, and include them in your portfolio.

Why This Matters

A polished portfolio helps you stand out by showing your expertise, design style, and technical abilities, making it easier to attract employers or freelance clients.

2. Start Networking in the Instructional Design Community

Networking is one of the most effective ways to break into instructional design.

By building relationships with others in the industry, you can learn about job opportunities, gain insights, and even find mentors who can help you navigate the early stages of your career.

Where to Network

• LinkedIn: Join instructional design groups, connect with professionals, and engage in relevant conversations to establish your presence.
  
  
• Professional Organizations: Organizations like the Association for Talent Development (ATD) or Learning Guild offer events, webinars, and networking opportunities.
  
  
• Social Media Groups: Facebook, Reddit, and other social platforms have communities dedicated to instructional design where members share advice, resources, and job leads.
  
  
• Meetup and Eventbrite: Look for local or virtual meetups focused on e-learning and instructional design to connect with peers.
  
  

Why This Matters

Networking helps you stay informed about trends and job openings, builds relationships with industry professionals, and can provide valuable recommendations when applying for roles.

3. Leverage Freelance Platforms to Find Entry-Level Gigs

Freelance platforms offer numerous opportunities for instructional designers, especially those looking to gain experience and build their portfolios.

Sites like Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer allow you to find short-term instructional design projects and build client relationships that can lead to ongoing work.

Top Platforms to Explore

• Upwork: Create a profile that highlights your instructional design skills, and browse project listings to find opportunities that match your expertise.
  
  
• Fiverr: List specific services (e.g., “Create a 10-minute interactive module” or “Design a course outline”) to attract clients seeking smaller projects.
  
  
• Freelancer: Look for short-term instructional design gigs, such as course creation or content editing, to build experience.
  
  

How to Succeed on Freelance Platforms

Create a strong profile that clearly outlines your skills, tools you’re proficient in, and types of projects you specialize in.

Start with smaller gigs to gain positive reviews and build your reputation. Respond promptly to job postings and tailor your pitches to each client’s needs.

Why This Matters

Freelance platforms provide easy access to clients and allow you to gain experience, earn income, and build a portfolio, even if you’re just starting out.

4. Search for Entry-Level Instructional Design Jobs on Job Boards

Many companies and organizations are open to hiring entry-level instructional designers.

Look for junior instructional designer or learning specialist roles, which often have fewer experience requirements and offer great opportunities to learn on the job.

Best Job Boards for Instructional Design Jobs

• LinkedIn Jobs: Use keywords like “instructional designer,” “e-learning specialist,” or “learning experience designer” and set up alerts for new listings.
  
  
• Indeed and Glassdoor: These sites have filters to help you find entry-level and remote instructional design positions.
  
  
• Association for Talent Development (ATD) Job Bank: ATD’s job board often features instructional design and e-learning roles across industries. HigherEdJobs: If you’re interested in educational or university-based positions, this site specializes in higher education roles.
  
  

Why This Matters

Job boards make it easy to find a range of positions tailored to different experience levels, and you can filter results to find entry-level or remote roles that suit your goals.

5. Gain Practical Experience by Interning/Volunteering

If you’re struggling to find paid opportunities, consider volunteering or doing an internship.

Depending on your circumstance, an internship might feel like a step backward.

However, if you can make it work, interning can be a great way to get in with a great company and then you'll have the inside track for future hiring.

Nonprofits, community organizations, and local businesses may need training materials or online courses but lack the budget for full-time instructional designers.

Volunteering can provide real-world experience, expand your network, and give you projects for your portfolio.

Where to Volunteer

• Nonprofits and Community Organizations: Reach out to local nonprofits that may need training materials for volunteers or staff.
  
  
• Online Volunteering Platforms: Sites like Catchafire or VolunteerMatch connect skilled professionals with nonprofits in need of help.
  
  
• Educational Institutions: Offer to design materials or training modules for schools or community centers that need assistance with online learning.
  
  

Why This Matters

Volunteering allows you to gain hands-on experience, build relationships, and add meaningful projects to your portfolio without the pressure of a paid role.

6. Highlight Your Transferable Skills in Applications

If you’re transitioning from another field, emphasize the transferable skills that are relevant to instructional design.

Many professionals come to instructional design with backgrounds in teaching, content creation, project management, or technology—all of which are valuable in this field.

Transferable Skills to Emphasize

• Curriculum Development and Lesson Planning: If you have teaching experience, emphasize your skills in creating engaging content and structuring lessons.
  
  
• Project Management: Showcase any experience managing timelines, coordinating with teams, or handling project milestones.
  
  
• Technical Skills: If you’re proficient in tools like PowerPoint, Canva, or other content creation software, highlight your ability to create visual and interactive learning materials.
  
  
• Communication Skills: Instructional designers often work with subject matter experts (SMEs) and need strong written and verbal communication skills to convey concepts effectively.
  
  

Why This Matters

Employers value transferable skills because they show you already have relevant experience, even if it’s from a different field.

Tailoring your resume and cover letter to highlight these skills can make you a stronger candidate.

7. Keep Learning and Growing Your Skill Set

Instructional design is a field where ongoing learning is crucial.

Taking courses or earning certifications can help you build confidence in your skills and make you more marketable to employers.

Programs that provide hands-on experience, like the E-Learning Instructional Design Certificate from Oregon State University, can be especially valuable as they equip you with real-world projects and knowledge of industry-standard tools.

Skills to Keep Developing

• E-Learning Authoring Tools: Mastering tools like Articulate Storyline, Adobe Captivate, or Rise 360 will give you a strong foundation in creating digital learning content.
  
  
• Learning Management Systems (LMS): Familiarity with popular LMS platforms (e.g., Moodle, Canvas) is valuable, especially for corporate or educational roles.
  
  
• Multimedia Design and Editing: Knowing how to create and edit video, audio, and graphics can enhance the interactivity and appeal of your learning materials.
  
  

Why This Matters

Continuing to learn and expand your skill set ensures that you stay competitive and ready for new opportunities in the field.

8. Apply for a Range of Roles and Be Open to Freelance Work

When looking for your first role, be open to different types of positions within instructional design.

While you may prefer a full-time job, freelance or contract work can help you build experience and potentially lead to permanent roles.

Types of Roles to Consider

• Junior Instructional Designer or Learning Specialist: Entry-level roles that often require less experience and provide on-the-job training.
  
  
• Contract Instructional Designer: Short-term projects that allow you to work with various clients and industries, ideal for building a diverse portfolio.
  
  
• Learning Consultant or Course Developer: Some organizations use different titles for instructional designers, so be open to variations.
  
  

Why This Matters

Applying to a wide range of roles and considering freelance work increases your chances of finding an opportunity to gain experience and grow within the field.

Conclusion: Getting Your First Instructional Design Job or Freelance Gig

Breaking into instructional design requires a blend of skill-building, networking, and perseverance.

By building a portfolio, leveraging freelance platforms, networking, and being open to volunteer work, you’ll be able to gain practical experience and make valuable connections.

Programs like the E-Learning Instructional Design Certificate from Oregon State University can provide the skills, hands-on projects, and confidence you need to start your instructional design career.

With the right approach, you’ll be well on your way to landing your first instructional design job or freelance gig, setting the foundation for a successful and fulfilling career.

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