So, you’ve found a few promising candidates—now what? Interviewing instructional designers requires more than a list of generic questions. You want to dig deeper and discover how candidates think, solve problems, and communicate. Here are more tips on how to interview an instructional designer.
In this part, we’ll walk through tips for preparing interview questions, evaluating answers, and making confident hiring decisions. These ideas come from our own experience hiring and collaborating with instructional designers across industries.
Asking Better Interview Questions
Before the interviews begin, create a list of thoughtful questions tailored to your project or team. Leave space for notes and ask the same core questions to every candidate so you can compare responses consistently.
Here are some ideas to guide your conversation:
- Tell me about a recent project.
Ask them to describe a course or learning solution they developed in the last few years. What was the goal? What was their process? What tools did they use? You’re looking for clarity, structure, and impact. - How do you work with subject matter experts (SMEs)?
Instructional designers often rely on SMEs to provide technical or proprietary information. Listen for how they handle challenges—like unclear input or scheduling delays—and how they keep collaboration productive. - Describe a time you worked on a team.
Instructional design is rarely a solo job. Candidates should be able to explain how they’ve collaborated with developers, graphic designers, project managers, or other stakeholders. - What’s your favorite and least favorite part of instructional design?
This helps you understand what excites them—and what might drain their energy. It also reveals how well their strengths align with your role.
Zero in on Their Experience
Time to get specific. Before the interviews begin, create a list of thoughtful questions tailored to your project or team. Leave space for notes and ask the same core questions to every candidate so you can compare responses consistently.
- What types of training have you created?
Do they have experience with e-learning, instructor-led training (ILT), mobile learning, or microlearning? Look for variety and alignment with your training format. - Which tools are you most comfortable with?
Whether it’s Articulate Storyline, Rise, Captivate, or another tool, ask how they’ve used each one. Also, inquire how quickly they can adapt to new platforms. - What design models or methods do you use?
ADDIE, SAM, Agile—the method matters less than whether they understand instructional design fundamentals and can adapt to your team’s workflow. - Describe your ideal instructional design role.
A great fit goes both ways. This question helps you see whether the candidate’s goals align with the role you’re offering. - How do you stay current in instructional design?
Look for candidates who are curious and always learning—through articles, conferences, certifications, or online courses. - What do you like to do outside of work?
Ending on a casual note can reveal more about their personality and whether they’ll click with your team culture.
Evaluating the Conversation
Once the interview is over, take time to reflect on your notes while the conversation is still fresh. Here are a few questions to guide your evaluation:
- Did this person seem curious, confident, and open?
- Do you think they’d work well with your team and SMEs?
- How enthusiastic were they about instructional design?
- Will they need significant ramp-up time for your tools or content area?
- What were your overall impressions—positive and negative?
Trust your instincts. If something feels off or especially promising, write it down. These reflections will help when comparing candidates later.
Final Thoughts
Interviewing instructional designers isn’t just about checking boxes. It’s about finding someone who can design smart, effective learning experiences—and who fits your team’s style and goals. With clear questions and thoughtful evaluation, you’ll make stronger hiring decisions.
Need help with your next instructional design project? ProEdit can help. We’ve spent decades designing and developing courses across industries—and we’d be glad to help you, too.
Return to Part 1 – Tips for Interviewing Instructional Designers
See also:
More articles on Course Development
Instructional Design Services