Job Market Updates for ID and L&D Professionals – Oct 2024

In the fast-evolving landscape of instructional design and learning & development (L&D) careers, staying informed about market trends and adapting your approach can make all the difference. Over the past few years, we’ve witnessed significant shifts in hiring practices and job availability that directly impact professionals in this field. Whether you’re seeking a job or looking to hire, this article will help you understand how these shifts may impact you.

1. The Pandemic Effect: A Rapid Shift in Hiring Trends

During the pandemic, the job market for instructional designers was red-hot. Remote work surged, salaries skyrocketed, and there were more jobs than qualified candidates. It was a time when flexibility and digital proficiency were highly valued attributes.

2. Cooling Off: Changes in 2023 to 2024

The job market in 2023 experienced a significant cooling-off period after the pandemic in our sector. However, even during this slowdown in 2023, there were still roughly 12,000 instructional design job openings available each month. Fast forward to 2024, and the landscape has shifted even further, with a drastic drop to around 6,000 job openings per month according to data collected by Teamed. While we don’t have first-hand data prior to 2022, it’s clear that the job market has become much more competitive, particularly for remote roles. 

3. Current Challenges: Market Saturation and Shifting Demand to In-Person

Today, the job market is characterized by saturation, especially in remote roles. It’s not uncommon to find thousands of applicants vying for a single remote position, while on-site roles typically attract fewer applicants, often in the low hundreds to even fewer than one hundred.

4. Sector-Specific Trends: Universities Leading the Way

In recent months, universities have shown a notable increase in hiring instructional designers. Other sectors have been slower to follow suit, presenting a mixed bag of opportunities depending on the industry. For example, there have been lower numbers of corporate learning and development job postings, but there is an uptick in customer education development for software companies. 

5. Adapting Strategies: What You Should Know

• Assess Your Skills and Upskill as Needed: The demand for tech-savvy professionals with skills in Artificial Intelligence, learning management systems (LMS), eLearning authoring tools, and system infrastructure is on the rise. Upskilling in these areas can significantly enhance your marketability. 
• Watch for Industry Changes: Stay informed about industry trends and technological advancements that are shaping the future of instructional design and L&D roles. Being proactive about adapting to these changes can set you apart from other candidates. More hiring managers are seeking an openness to using AI tools to increase productivity and end products. 
• Consider Hybrid Roles: If your situation doesn’t allow for fully on-site work, hybrid roles may be the next best alternative. These positions also receive fewer applicants than fully remote roles. Hybrid roles offer the flexibility you may need, and they could also serve as a pathway to fully remote work in the future as companies continue to evolve their work strategies.

6. Expanding Your Horizons: Exploring Adjacent Career Paths

If finding a traditional instructional design or learning and development role proves challenging, consider exploring adjacent career paths where your core skills can add value:

• Program Management: Roles in program management often require certification but can leverage your skills in project coordination, management, and execution.
• Human Resources: Positions in HR, especially in training and development, can benefit from your expertise in educational content creation and employee learning programs.
• Customer Education: Roles focusing on software company customer onboarding, training, and support are increasingly vital in tech-driven industries and this likely aligns well with your skill set.

Conclusion:

While navigating today’s job market presents challenges, understanding these shifts and strategically adapting your approach can open doors to new opportunities. Whether through upskilling, exploring hybrid roles, or branching into adjacent fields, proactive career management is key to thriving in the evolving landscape of instructional design and L&D.

At Teamed for Learning, we’re committed to supporting professionals like you in finding the right career path. Stay informed, stay adaptable, and continue growing—your next career breakthrough may be closer than you think.

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Citations: 

Indeed Hiring Lab. “Indeed’s 2024 U.S. Jobs Hiring Trends Report.” Hiring Lab, 15 Nov. 2023, https://www.hiringlab.org/2023/11/15/indeeds-2024-us-jobs-hiring-trends-report/. Accessed 16 Oct. 2024.

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Instructional Coordinators,

at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/instructional-coordinators.htm 

USA Today. “Remote Work Statistics: Navigating the Future of Work.” USA Today, 2023, https://www.usatoday.com/money/blueprint/business/hr-payroll/remote-work-statistics/. Accessed 16 Oct. 2024.