When applying for a new designer job, the secret to standing out from the crowd is to have a good CV. You might be a learning designer looking for your next step in your career, in which case, you’re probably wondering what makes a good instructional designer resume. Whatever your situation, crafting a CV that truly showcases your skills is crucial.
Here at Instinct Resourcing, we’re dedicated to connecting you with eLearning design talent and LMS job roles, and we’ve helped countless learning professionals find their perfect role. In this blog, we’ll have a look at some of the top designer skills that employees are looking for right now and help you to create a CV that is strong and desirable.
Ready to find out the top skills that every instructional designer needs on their CV? Let’s get into it…
What makes a good instructional designer resume?
Instructional designers, in a nutshell, are responsible for creating educational materials that make learning easier. If you want this to be your career, you need to be able to analyse your learners’ needs and develop the right learning materials for them. So, what makes an instructional designer’s resume stand out? Before we start, you might be interested in our top tips for making your CV stand out in 2025, which include tips for all types of jobs you may be applying for.
Jobs that demand instructional designer skills
Here is a list of jobs that require strong design skills:
- eLearning developer
- Instructional designer
- Educational technologist
- Learning experience designer
- Corporate trainer
- Instructional content developer
- Learning specialist
- Educational consultant
10 designer skills to help you stand out from the crowd
Without further ado, here are some of the best designer skills you need to have to pursue a career as a learning designer…
1. eLearning development
Did you know that 64.4% of hiring managers look at eLearning development when filling a role? This is because, as technology advances, so does the potential for eLearning. Businesses want to offer their employees effective and engaging educational experiences, and eLearning is an easy and ideal way to do that. ELearning development includes creating digital learning materials like online courses and learning modules.
Therefore, you need to be familiar with the latest technologies and trends, including using the latest tools, software, and instructional design models. Discover more about eLearning platforms here.
2. Strong communication skills
As an instructional designer, soft skills are just as important as technical skills. You’ll need to be able to work effectively with others, including SEs and graphic designers. Therefore, strong writing, storyboarding, and verbal communication skills are required with other team members. You’ll also probably be working closely with clients, so consider coming up with creative and innovative ideas that will impress them.
Writing skills will also play a strong role in this. You’ll need to be able to write storyboards, scripts, and craft compelling emails to stakeholders.
3. An understanding of learning management systems
An LMS is a learning management system that can store, manage, and deliver learning materials directly to learners. Instructional design and LMS are handy for organisations that have a large number of employees, as it lets them access a wide range of learning materials no matter where they are located. An LMS can also be used to track employee performance and progress to ensure that they’re getting the most out of their learning experience.
On your CV, try to mention the platforms that you’re familiar with, whether that’s Blackboard or TalentLMS. Highlighting these will show that you can handle the technical sides of an instructional designer role and ensure a seamless learner experience from start to finish.
4. Visual design skills
Applying good visual design to your eLearning projects is a great way to create a successful learning experience. And, while you might not be a graphic designer, a strong visual eye is a non-negotiable skill. Good visual design can make the difference between a mundane learning experience and an engaging one. Try to highlight your familiarity with tools like Canva and Adobe Creative Studio and mention your ability to create clean layouts, select effective colour palettes, and design infographics that showcase relevant information.
5. Project management skills
With the increasing complexity of projects and the rise of virtual teams, successful project management is key to meeting deadlines and ensuring quality outcomes. As an instructional designer, you’ll be working with SMEs, stakeholders, and other team members who will want to see you deliver projects on time and within budget. When it comes to crafting your CV, talk about your experience in scoping projects, creating timelines, and managing stakeholder expectations.
6. Storytelling
A skill that has been around since the beginning of time, storytelling continues to captivate audiences and leave a lasting impression. Try to include storytelling in your courses by including a plot, relevant stories, and even relying on your own personal experiences to craft a compelling journey that learners can embark on. It’s a great way to bring abstract concepts to life. Creating an interactive eLearning course can turn something mundane into a learning adventure!
7. Problem solving
Problem-solving can heavily rely on metrics, which is a particularly important part of an instructional designer’s skillset. The data that you gather can provide insights into the effectiveness of problem-solving efforts and can be used to make necessary adjustments.
In fact, instructional design is fundamentally about solving a problem. A business will have a challenge, such as a lack of sales, a compliance issue, or a need to onboard new staff. It’s therefore your job to design a learning solution that fixes it! On your CV, demonstrate how you’ve faced previous problems and how you have solved them, and be specific! For example, you might say ‘I designed a blended learning programme that reduced compliance violations by 30%’. This allows you to demonstrate that you can deliver measurable impact and not just content.
8. Managing cognitive workloads
If a learning experience is overwhelming, learners will need help to process the material effectively in a way that makes it easier to understand. The cognitive load theory is the idea that the human brain can only process so much information simultaneously. Therefore, understanding how to manage cognitive load can help you create effective courses that promote learning and retention.
On your CV, talk about how you’ve previously designed courses with cognitive load in mind. You can mention techniques you’ve used, such as using visual cues and designing scenarios that build from simple to complex. This will show employers that you can create effective training that respects the limits of the human brain, leading to better learner satisfaction.
9. Creativity
While instructional design is a science, it’s also technically an art form. A good instructional designer isn’t just a good problem-solver; they can turn complex or boring information into an experience that captivates learners and sticks with them long after the training is over. Instructional design is also about creating physical spaces that are conducive to learning, including classrooms, libraries, or even areas in a home or an office.
When it comes to crafting your CV, don’t just say that you’re creative. Prove it! Showcase your previous work, including any interactive stories or experience of using AR to demonstrate a technical process. Be sure to check out our creative recruitment agency, where we can easily and quickly pair you with suitable creative positions.
10. Good critical thinking
And finally, on our list of skills that make a good instructional designer resume, is having the ability to engage in good critical thinking. As a learning designer, you’re not just a content creator. You have the ability to be a critical thinker who can look beyond requests for videos and eLearning courses and determine if that truly is the best solution. Employers will be looking for professionals who can challenge assumptions, question decisions, and propose solutions that are truly effective.
On your CV, try and show ways that you have made data-driven recommendations and how you’ve acted as a consultant. Instead of saying that you’ve created training programmes, showcase ideas that you’ve pitched or ways that you’ve added value and creativity. Employers will find it more desirable and impressive!
Build your CV, and more, with Instinct Resourcing
Hopefully, this blog has taught you how to craft the perfect instructional designer resume. By mastering the skills above, you should be able to create a CV that sets you apart from the competition.
At Instinct Resourcing, we’ve been an industry-leading eLearning recruitment choice since we started way back in 2011. And, we’re dedicated to connecting top talent with innovative companies, driving the digital revolution in how the world learns forward. Our team of specialist recruiters are ready to help you find your next opportunity in the digital learning world!
Simply submit your CV or contact us today.
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