So, you’ve got a big learning project on the horizon. Maybe it’s a product launch, a new leadership development program, or a compliance course that needs a creative refresh. You’re ready to bring in a contract instructional designer, but here’s the catch: how do you really know if the person you hire is going to deliver?
Resumes only tell part of the story. A great instructional design consultant can turn content chaos into clear, engaging, and effective learning. A not-so-great one? That’s a fast track to missed deadlines and rework.
At TrainingPros, we specialize in matching clients with thoroughly vetted consultants. Whether you’re hiring through a staffing partner or doing it solo, here’s how to assess a freelance instructional designer with confidence.
Download Your Copy of 5 Reasons to Hire an Instructional Design Consultant
Start with the Basics: Resume & Experience
Begin with the foundation. A solid resume should show a few key things:
- Years of experience: Look for at least 3–5 years designing for corporate audiences.
- Industry expertise: Have they worked in healthcare, finance, technology, or whatever matches your business?
- Tools and tech: Familiarity with Articulate Storyline, Rise, and Vyond is a strong sign.
- Certifications: ATD’s CPTD, ATD’s Instructional Design Certificate, or Brandon Hall Group’s CLS.
Look for evidence of business impact. Did they shorten onboarding time? Improve compliance pass rates? Those wins matter more than just listing tools.
Download Your Copy of 5 Tips for a Knockout Consultant Resume
The Portfolio Is King
This is where great IDs shine. A portfolio tells you more than any resume ever could.
What to look for:
- Real examples, ideally from past clients, not just “sample” work.
- Clear learning objectives tied to business goals.
- Interactive elements (branching scenarios, video, assessments).
- Clean design and brand consistency.
- Thoughtful instructional strategies, not just pretty slides.
Red flags:
- No portfolio at all.
- Work that looks heavily templated or lacks learner engagement.
Pro tip: Ask them to walk you through a favorite project. Listen for how they solved problems, worked with stakeholders, and adjusted based on feedback. Ask them specifically what their role was on the project and what was done by other team members.
Ask Interview Questions That Reveal the Real Story
Go beyond the “tell me about yourself” approach. These questions reveal how an instructional design consultant works under pressure and collaborates with teams:
- “How do you handle a vague or constantly changing scope?”
- “Tell me about a time you had to work with a difficult SME.”
- “What’s your process from kickoff to delivery?”
- “How do you measure learning effectiveness?”
You’re looking for someone who can balance creativity with structure, collaboration with autonomy, and feedback with confidence.
Bonus: pay attention to how clearly and concisely they explain things. If they can’t explain their own process clearly, will they be able to simplify content for your learners?
Download Your Copy of 10 Interview Questions to Ask an Instructional Design Consultant
Test for Technical Fit
Not all instructional designers are eLearning developers and that’s okay, as long as you know what you need.
If your project includes eLearning development:
- Ask what tools they use (Storyline? Rise? Captivate?).
- Request a working file or short sample.
- You can even provide a small bit of content and ask them to develop it into a single interaction.
For more strategic work (like needs assessments, facilitator guides, or curriculum design), check if they have experience writing for classroom or VILT delivery. Not everyone who can create eLearning can design ILT.
If you use platforms like Teams, SharePoint, or Jira, confirm that they’re comfortable with those collaboration tools, too.
Evaluate Soft Skills and Work Style
Soft skills can make or break a project—especially with contractors.
- Communication: Do they follow up promptly? Are their emails clear and professional?
- Collaboration: Can they work well with your internal SMEs, project managers, or leadership?
- Flexibility: How do they handle shifting timelines or last-minute requests?
- Time management: Ask how they juggle multiple deadlines or prioritize when everything feels urgent.
- Independence: You want someone who can manage a project without constant hand-holding.
If they’re great at their craft but poor communicators, that’s going to show up—fast.
Bonus Tip: Consider a Short Trial Project
Not sure if it’s a fit? Start small.
Give your potential contract instructional designer a single deliverable: a storyboard for a 10-minute module, a quick microlearning, or a short job aid. You’ll quickly see how they:
- Communicate
- Interpret your instructions
- Manage time
- Accept feedback
A successful trial often turns into a long-term relationship. A rocky one saves you from a major misstep.
Let a Partner Like TrainingPros Do the Heavy Lifting
If all of this sounds like a lot of work—it is. That’s why so many learning leaders choose to work with a partner like TrainingPros. We specialize in connecting you with pre-vetted, highly experienced contract instructional designers who are ready to jump into your project.
Here’s what we do for you:
- Constantly bring new instructional design talent into our system.
- Review their resumes and portfolios.
- Conduct live interviews with each consultant.
- Evaluate soft skills, communication style, and professionalism.
- Check their professional references.
- Match consultants to your projects based on industry knowledge, tool expertise, and your specific goals.
- Provide support throughout the engagement to ensure a smooth experience.
When you’re short on time (or just don’t want to gamble on a cold hire), working with a partner means you skip the sourcing and screening and get straight to results.
Conclusion: Vet Smarter, Not Harder
Hiring a contract instructional designer doesn’t have to feel like a leap of faith. With the right vetting process, you’ll find someone who not only delivers but makes your life easier along the way.
Download Your Copy of Getting Started as a Contract Instructional Designer: An 8 Step Guide to Launching Your Freelance Career
Ready to Work with Us?
Does your L&D team have more projects than people? TrainingPros has been named a Top 20 Staffing Company internationally by Training Industry, and recognized as a Smartchoice® Preferred Provider by Brandon Hall Group for 2025. We’re also proud to be named a Champion of Learning by the Association for Talent Development (ATD)—an international honor that reflects our dedication to excellence in corporate learning. These accolades underscore TrainingPros’ unwavering commitment to delivering high-quality, tailored training solutions.
If your projects need virtual classroom producers, facilitators, or other L&D consultants for your custom content projects, reach out to one of our industry-expert relationship managers today.
When you have more projects than people™, let TrainingPros find the right consultant to start your project with confidence. Schedule a consultation today.
