7 Tips To Evaluate eLearning Professionals

7 Tips To Evaluate eLearning Professionals
Summary: Rifling through a seemingly endless stack of resumes and applications can be tedious, especially if you aren't quite sure what you're looking for. In this article, I'll share some tips on how to evaluate eLearning professionals, so that you can find the eLearning candidate who offers the experience and skill sets you need.

How To Evaluate eLearning Professionals

Whether you are looking for an eLearning professional to expand your Learning and Development team, or an eLearning freelancer to develop an online training event for your organization, evaluating eLearning candidates is of the utmost importance. Here are a few key evaluation tips you'll want to keep in mind when you need to evaluate eLearning professionals.

  1. Do they have work samples?
    Even if some eLearning professionals may have never completed a paid project, they should still have work samples on hand, as a result of a volunteer or an intern work. Often these work samples will be included in a portfolio that also features their bio, skills, and references or reviews from past clients. When you're reviewing these work samples, there are a handful of things that you'll want to pay close attention to, such as the design and the overall presentation. You may also want to lookout for work samples that are more creative or innovative than others, like an inventive layout or case studies that feature stunning graphic design elements or interactive multimedia and eLearning games. Last, but not least, make sure that the portfolio and/or the work samples are free of any spelling and formatting errors.
  2. Do they have the experience you need?
    While the eLearning candidates may have a degree and an in depth understanding of eLearning design and development, if they don't have much experience under their belt then this may be an issue. Experience can come in the form of internships, volunteer work, or past eLearning projects. If you cannot gauge their experience based upon their online portfolio, then ask about past eLearning projects that may have required the skill sets or talents that you are looking for.
  3. Are they personable?
    While their qualifications and skills are important, you will also want to determine if the perfect eLearning candidate is someone you would actually want to work with. Do they have a good personality? Are they friendly and polite? How did you feel when you were around them, and do you think that they have the character and personality you are looking for in a new hire? These may be the most significant intangible qualities that the eLearning candidates possess, as there are no work samples or case studies to back them up, but it also happens to be of great importance.
  4. Do they really fit in?
    One of the most overlooked aspects of eLearning candidates is analyzing how they will mesh with your current staff. The person you will ultimately hire should fit seamlessly into your team. So, when you're conducting the interview, you'll want to assess whether they have the traits and the overall personality that will mesh with your existing staff. Also, in terms of your company culture, how well do you think the eLearning candidate will fit in? For example, if an eLearning candidate seems like someone who always plays by the book and isn't very flexible, then he/she may not be a good fit for an organization who prides itself on innovation and “outside-the-box” thinking. By considering this all important question when you evaluate eLearning professionals, you can ensure that everyone will have an enjoyable and productive work experience.
  5. Will there be a steep learning curve?
    If an eLearning candidate is new to the world of eLearning or may not be familiar with the tools and technologies that your organization uses, you'll want to consider whether it's really worth the investment of time and training resources. How much time will the eLearning candidate need in order to be on the same page with the rest of your team, and does he/she really know enough about the subject matter? While some eLearning candidates may be skilled and talented enough to make training a worthwhile expense, others may need to gain more experience before they are a good match for your organization.
  6. Do they have a passion for their profession?
    Are they excited about eLearning? Do you get the sense that they are truly passionate about their eLearning career? Are they enthusiastic about the position that you are interviewing them for? Ultimately, the person you will hire should be passionate about educating your target audience and excited about the idea of diving right into a project and working with your team. This is one of the key qualities of a successful eLearning professional. Another thing you'll want to consider is whether they have a passion for the pursuit of knowledge. Are they willing and ready to learn all they can about Instructional Design theories and models by taking additional courses, reading books, and visiting forums?
  7. Ask for references.
    It's completely acceptable and advisable to ask for references from your eLearning candidates. Be sure that all of the contact information is up to date and feel free to follow up by reaching out to their references via email or phone. Ask them if they were happy with the work that was produced by the eLearning candidate. You could also ask about  the overall experience working with the eLearning candidate in the past. If the reference is a client, ask if they are still working with the eLearning candidate and if they are not, ask if they would hire them again and why. All of this invaluable information can give you insight into how it would be to have this individual on your team, and determine which skills, talents, and work ethics he/she can offer to your organization.

Use these tips to evaluate eLearning professionals and to find the perfect eLearning candidate who can offer you the experience and expertise you need to create effective eLearning courses and online training events for your organization.

Asking the right questions during an interview can help you to gain insight into what an eLearning candidate has to offer to your organization. Read the article 6 Tips On Interviewing eLearning Professionals to know what questions you should ask, and how you can insure that you will get the most out of the interviewing process with eLearning professionals.

Want to learn more about the skills you should be looking for in an eLearning professional? The article Top 10 eLearning Skills That eLearning Professionals Should Have features the top 10 eLearning skills that eLearning professionals should have to be successful and stand out.

Are you currently looking for the ideal eLearning professional? You can search for eLearning Professionals' resumes or upload your job request for free, at eLearning JobsThe Leading Source for eLearning Jobs - Free eLearning Job posting!