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This week we’re joined by Nicole Whitney, our Director of Talent. We go through the ins and outs of what makes a great L&D resume, portfolio, and how to nail an interview as an Instructional Designer or Content Developer in today’s world of corporate learning.
How does Nicole keep her finger on the pulse of the learning and development scene? She’s all about reading up on industry articles, chatting with fellow L&D folks, and expanding her network. This way, she’s always in the loop about where the industry’s headed and what’s brewing on the horizon. By staying ahead of the curve, she’s able to evaluate talent with a forward-thinking mindset during the hiring hustle.
How to Tell if Someone is a Good Culture Fit?
Let’s talk about the hurdles Nicole faces when hiring top-tier L&D talent. First off, there’s the challenge of finding that perfect cultural fit and setting crystal-clear expectations. Nicole knows that aligning with the company vibe boosts engagement and keeps the turnover train at bay. That’s why she takes the time to suss out if a candidate’s vibe matches the team’s groove. And let’s not forget about expectations – laying out clear expectations and setting folks up for success saves everyone from future headaches. It’s all about dodging those potential mismatched expectations that can send good hires packing sooner than planned.
Need to streamline your talent acquisition process? Download our free resource: Ready-to-use role descriptions for finding the right talent.
Expand Your Resources with Staff Augmention
Ever heard of Innovators On Demand® staff augmentation? It’s our game-changer. Picture this: specialists swoop in, work along side your internal learning team, and tackle specific projects head-on. It’s like having a bespoke dream team for every project. This not only speeds up content development but also amps up collaboration and responsiveness. It’s a win-win for everyone involved. It truly is an extra pair of hands you don’t have to hold.
Resumes and Portfolios That Wow: Showcasing Your Creativity and Versatility
Now, let’s peek into Nicole’s resume review playbook. She’s all about clarity and brevity. A tidy summary up top gives her the lowdown on a candidate’s expertise in a snap. She’s on the lookout for experience that’s tailor-made for the instructional design opportunity, complete with metrics and achievements that scream, “I’m a rockstar!” Oh, and don’t forget to list those tech tools you’re a whiz at – it’s like waving a flag saying, “I’m ready to hit the ground running!”
When it comes to instructional design portfolios, Nicole’s got her checklist handy. Diversity and creativity are her bread and butter. She wants to see samples that showcase a candidate’s versatility and out-of-the-box thinking. And hey, she’s not just interested in the final product – she wants the behind-the-scenes scoop on your design process too. After all, it’s the journey that counts, right? While Development is the flashy side of a portfolio, don’t forget to add those Detailed Design Documents and Analysis documents as well. You want to show the whole picture when putting together a successful portfolio.
Interview Questions to Ask Candidates
Prepping for a candidate interview? Nicole’s got some golden advice. Keep it concise, ask smart questions, and show genuine interest. Oh, and don’t forget to dig into the company culture – it’s like speed dating, but for your career. Remember, it’s a two-way street. You’re there to find out if it’s a fit for you just as much as they are.
Here are the top question’s our Director of Talent recommends to find the perfect culture fit!
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Would you like tips on how to identify the perfect culture fit during an interview?
Need help attracting top L&D talent? Listen and watch Episode 06 of the Learning Matters podcast – available everywhere you listen to podcasts!
Additional Resources
- Attracting the Best of the Best: Key Strategies for Finding Top L&D Talent
Elevate Your L&D Team: The Art and Science of Working with Staffing Providers
- 4 Reasons to Partner with Us Instead of “The Other Guys”
- 5 Secrets to Guarantee a Stand Out Professional Resume
- The True Cost of Hiring Employees vs. Consultants (free cost calculator)
