In this episode of The Learning Pro Live, I sat down with a true legend of the L&D industry, John Hinchliffe. John isn’t just a multi-award-winning learning professional; he is also the new Head of Talent at Jam Pan, a global marketplace connecting freelancers with top-tier clients.

With the landscape of work shifting dramatically due to COVID-19, many learning designers are either looking for new opportunities or considering a move into freelancing. John shared some incredible insights into what clients are looking for right now and how you can stand out in a crowded market.

Here are the key takeaways from our chat on navigating the job market and getting noticed.

Polish Your Portfolio (It Matters More Than Your CV)

One of the biggest takeaways from John was the diminishing power of the traditional 20-page CV. Clients want to see what you can do, not just read about it.

John recommends focusing on your portfolio. If you don’t have client work you can share, create something new. Pick a topic you are passionate about, whether it’s video games, CrossFit, or cooking, and build a short, sharp 5-10 minute learning experience. This demonstrates your writing ability, your visual design skills, and your technical competence with authoring tools in a way a resume never could.

Be Honest About Your Skills

When setting up a profile on platforms like Jam Pan or pitching to clients, honesty is your best policy. It is tempting to tick every box and claim you are an expert in everything from Storyline to Captivate to video animation.

However, John warned against this “spray and pray” approach. If you claim to be an expert in Adobe Captivate but haven’t touched it in years, you will be found out quickly when a specific project lands on your desk. Highlight your true strengths. If you are a brilliant scriptwriter but a mediocre developer, say so. Clients appreciate transparency and will hire you for what you excel at.

Understand the Market Shift

John shared some fascinating data from Jam Pan regarding the current demand for skills. The industry is changing fast:

• The “Generalist” is fading: There is a move away from generic “eLearning developers” towards specialists.
• Tech-Specific Skills are Booming: Demand for developers skilled in tools like Evolve and Elucidat has jumped significantly (up by around 50%).
• New Roles Emerging: We are seeing a 375% increase in demand for Community Managers—people who can nurture social learning spaces rather than just build courses.

This data suggests that upskilling in specific, modern authoring tools or pivoting towards learning experience design (LXD) could be a smart career move.

Leverage Your Network and Free Resources

You don’t need to spend a fortune to upskill or find work. John is a huge advocate for using the free resources available to us. He mentioned:

• LinkedIn Learning: A great way to skill up on data-driven learning or psychology.
• Tracy Parish’s List: An incredible curated list of free tools for IDs, from icebreakers to graphic editing software.
• One Tip Wednesday: John’s own initiative on LinkedIn where professionals share quick, actionable tips.

Networking isn’t just about asking for a job; it is about sharing value. By engaging with the community and showcasing your own journey, you become visible to the people who are hiring.

Jam Pan: A Personal Approach to Freelancing

If you have been hesitant about freelance marketplaces because they feel impersonal or like a “race to the bottom” on price, John assured us that Jam Pan operates differently. They vet their talent and take a person-first approach, matching freelancers to clients based on fit, not just fees.

If you are looking for work, or just want to dip your toe into the freelance world, setting up a profile is free and could open doors to global clients you wouldn’t otherwise reach.

Watch the full interview above to hear more about John’s journey, his tips for new freelancers, and exactly how the Jam Pan platform works.