We’ve all heard the horror stories: 800+ applicants on a single instructional design job, people applying to 200 roles without an interview, and Reddit threads that make it feel like the whole field is closed. In this video, I share my honest take on whether the ID job market is actually “oversaturated,” based on what I’ve seen since 2017, plus updated data and a survey I ran with about 270 people (aspiring IDs, working IDs, and hiring managers). Here’s where I land: the market is competitive, but with the right approach it’s very possible—and honestly, close to inevitable—to succeed. The biggest separator is still the same thing it was when I was breaking in: your portfolio. A huge number of applicants does not equal a huge number of qualified applicants with strong, industry-ready portfolios. I also walk through the facts (like BLS growth for training and development roles, and the steady volume of new job postings), then I share a practical strategy: build a targeted ID/eLearning portfolio, tailor your resume with the right keywords, and apply consistently (around 10–15 roles per week). If you’re doing that for 4–6 weeks and not getting interviews, something in your materials or approach needs to change—not your effort.