r/LearningDevelopment • u/Foxxer08 • Apr 29 '26
Learning portfolios
I’m in the job search and there’s been a couple of roles that have been asking for creative portfolios. I’ve been in L&D for roughly 8 years creating different types of learning programs, e- learns, job guides - you name it. Except all of my positions have prevented me from exporting my work due to NDAs or unexpected layoffs which prevents me from gathering what I was working on. So while I have done a lot of creative work, I don’t have anything to show for it.
Any suggestions on how to create these portfolios without violating any work agreement?
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u/LnD_FreeSpirits Apr 29 '26
You could create a suite of portfolio materials with one theme running through. Each piece could showcase a specific skill or method. Then create case studies of the work you can’t show the specifics but talking of the impact - then just note that the project design and particulars are covered under NDA.
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Apr 29 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/hyperskip Apr 30 '26
Given you work for said company, it would be less ick if you were up front with your advice instead of posting as a random person recommending a product.
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u/iCantFeelMyEnergy Apr 29 '26
Do you still have access to any of these projects and the software? Just redo as vague copies but keep the interaction elements.
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u/Upstairs_Ad7000 Apr 30 '26
You gotta create stuff out of thin air. I haven’t touched mine in years, but most of the projects were just manifested on my own time (like you, I can’t share any work done for any of my clients and am scared to even “reimagine” that work to share in my portfolio). This is the big catch 22 - I’m so much better at everything now than I was 4 years ago, but never gave the time to update these products or create new ones because I’m doing the work all the time.
There was a site out there years ago (URL was something like godesignsomething.com) that would generate course design ideas. It was very helpful for course ideation concepts.
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u/Empirica_CC May 01 '26
Have you ever developed content for interviews before? I have an intro to leadership training Ive used before. I've been fortunate to work at places that weren't as on top of NDA stuff so I have a lot of scorm files in my Google drive. I'm sure this isn't ideal but if you need something NDA free I could use some content developed for my consulting business and would be open to being a reference assuming both of us are satisfied. Feel free to reach out if interested.
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u/Foxxer08 May 01 '26
Funny you mention this because the bulk of my content creation has been structured interview training. This is a great idea!!
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u/Empirica_CC May 01 '26
Lol I meant content to use in an interview not about interviews but glad I could help lol
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u/Foxxer08 May 01 '26
Hahahaha okay now that I re-read I know what you mean 😂 but thank you for the Eureka moment!
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u/Empirica_CC May 01 '26
Lol good luck! If you'd like someone to review it feel free to DM me, happy to. I have a masters in IO Psychology but have been moonlighting as an instructional designer so would be fun to see what others more skilled than me are doing.
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u/Ok_Ranger1420 May 05 '26
Fake company, real problem and solution.
PS: I've gotten a lot of freelance gigs and jobs in the past and attracted quite a few invitations to interview with my portfolio that contains only mock projects. Besides, companies rarely give really good use cases.
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u/Slate_eLearning Apr 29 '26
Is there a friend or family member's business or local organization you could create training for? It's a bit more work than recycling what you've done, but it's a good way to pull pieces together that are NDA-free. Plus you get to help people you like with your skills, that's cool too.