How to hire an instructional designer internship

How to hire an instructional designer internship, step by step

Here's a step-by-step instructional designer internship hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write an instructional designer internship job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new instructional designer internship
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring an instructional designer internship, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them an instructional designer internship to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire an instructional designer internship that fits the bill.

   This list presents instructional designer internship salaries for various positions.

   Type of Instructional Designer Internship	Description	Hourly rate
   Instructional Designer Internship	Instructional coordinators oversee school curriculums and teaching standards. They develop instructional material, coordinate its implementation with teachers and principals, and assess its effectiveness.	$8-29
   Curriculum Developer	A curriculum developer is responsible for managing instructional materials, providing recommendations to the teachers, and making adjustments to the current student's curriculum to adhere to the highest educational standards and policies. Curriculum developers also facilitate and offer assistance for any implemented procedures... Show more	$17-37
   Designer	A designer is someone who creates a master plan of the look or workings of something before it will be made. It could be tangible or intangible objects, products, procedures, laws, events, games, graphics, services, and even experiences... Show more	$21-46

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Instructional Design
   • PowerPoint
   • Subject Matter Experts
   • Learning Management System
   • Internship Program
   • Photoshop
   • ELearning
   • Training Materials
   • Professional Development
   • Camtasia
   • Articulate Storyline
   • Course Content
   • Training Programs
   • Learning Objectives

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Design, develop, and manage faculty websites using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
   • Lead the virtualization of military training exercises and provide periods of instruction using virtual simulations.
   • Revise SharePoint site when asset documents change.
   • Review and ensure compliance with SCORM standards.
   • Used the ADDIE model to enhance user experience in learning management software.
   • Engage with industry experts to inform approach while applying principles of ADDIE method.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your instructional designer internship job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. An instructional designer internship salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, instructional designer interns' average salary in west virginia is 60% less than in alaska.
   • Seniority. Entry-level instructional designer interns earn 71% less than senior-level instructional designer interns.
   • Certifications. An instructional designer internship with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in an instructional designer internship's salary.

   Average instructional designer internship salary

   $16.25hourly

   $33,791 yearly

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   Entry-level instructional designer internship salary

   $18,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 20, 2026

4. Writing an instructional designer internship job description

   An instructional designer internship job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of an instructional designer internship job description:

   Instructional designer internship job description example

   The Rock Family of Companies is made up of nearly 100 separate businesses spanning fintech, sports, entertainment, real estate, startups and more. We're united by our culture - a drive to find a better way that fuels our commitment to our clients, our community and our team members. We believe in and build inclusive workplaces, where every voice is heard and diverse perspectives are welcomed. Working for a company in the Family is about more than just a job - it's about having the opportunity to become the best version of yourself.
   
   Rocket Central is a centralized hub that delivers thoughtful and innovative solutions for Rocket Companies . We are the center of operations, technology, marketing, HR, legal, strategy and more that propels our companies forward. Here, we'll give you the opportunity to launch your career and work with various companies, spanning multiple industries from fintech, to auto and real estate. We offer you the tools you'll need to succeed, no matter what stage you're at in your career. You'll be able to master your craft here by working on complex problems in a collaborative culture and challenging yourself to make a real impact.
   Apply today to see all that Rocket Central has to offer!
   
   Minimum Qualifications
   Coursework in training and development or instructional design Knowledge of the Microsoft Office suite, including Excel, PowerPoint, and Word Experience with Adobe products (Photoshop and Captivate) Creative and innovative mindset Strong verbal and written communication skills Strong time management skills
   
   Preferred Qualifications
   Prior facilitation or training experience Prior knowledge of training theory or Learning Management Systems (LMS)
   
   Job Summary
   As an Instructional Design Intern, you will work closely with team members across the company to produce effective, clear, and concise instructional materials for teams across the Family of Companies. As a valued team member, you will utilize existing communication and technical skills while learning new tips and tricks along the way.
   
   Responsibilities
   Learn about our business by attending meetings, huddles and trainings Share creative ideas that will help improve our business Deliver reports, analyze metrics and summarize information to help drive our team forward Assist in creating materials and/or presentations for meetings Take notes during meetings and provide recaps Create and modify computer-based training (CBT) storyboards Create and modify unique and interactive CBTs, both collaboratively and independently Effectively incorporate client feedback into CBTs Assess and modify existing training programs to meet instructional design standards Conduct research and analyze data to determine training needs Create engaging learning activities and compelling course content Work with subject matter experts and identify target audience training needs Visualize instructional graphics, the user interface and the finished product Provide exercises and activities that enhance the learning process Create supporting material/media (e.g., audio, video, simulations, roleplays, games, etc.) Decide on the criteria used to judge learners' performance and develop assessment instruments
   
   Who We Are
   Rocket Companies is a Detroit-based company made up of businesses that provide simple, fast and trusted digital solutions for complex transactions. The name comes from our flagship business, now known as Rocket Mortgage , which was founded in 1985. Today, we're a publicly traded company involved in many different industries, including mortgages, fintech, real estate, automotive and more. We're insistently different in how we look at the world and are committed to an inclusive workplace where every voice is heard. We're passionate about the work we do, and it shows. We've been ranked #1 for Fortune's Best Large Workplaces in Financial Services and Insurance List in 2022, named #5 on People Magazine's Companies That Care List in 2022 and recognized as #7 on Fortune's list of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in 2022.
   
   Disclaimer
   This is an outline of the primary responsibilities of this position. As with everything in life, things change. The tasks and responsibilities can be changed, added to, removed, amended, deleted and modified at any time by the leadership group.
   
   We are proud equal opportunity employers and committed to providing an inclusive environment based on mutual respect for all candidates and team members. Employment decisions, including hiring decisions, are not based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, military or veteran status or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law. We also provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with state and federal law.
   
   The Company is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer, and does not discriminate in any hiring or employment practices. The Company provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with state and federal law. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation in completing the application and/or participating in the employment application process should notify a representative of the Human Resources Team, The Pulse, at 1-800-411-JOBS.

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5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find instructional designer interns for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your instructional designer internship job on Zippia to find and recruit instructional designer internship candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting instructional designer interns requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new instructional designer internship

   Once you've selected the best instructional designer internship candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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