A pre-recorded interview – sometimes called a one-way or asynchronous interview – is an interview format where candidates respond to a set of questions by recording video, audio, or written answers on an online platform.
The key difference from a traditional interview is timing. It’s a job interview that doesn’t happen in real time.
- The employer creates the interview and sends the candidate an invitation to complete it.
- The candidate completes the interview on their own time and submits it to the employer for review.
- The employer watches the candidate’s responses to each question and makes a hiring or shortlisting decision.
How Does a Pre-recorded Interview Work?
First, the recruiter chooses the questions they want candidates to answer. These questions can be in different formats, such as video questions, audio questions, written questions, multiple-choice questions, coding questions, and more. The recruiter may also decide how much time a candidate gets to prepare and record each answer. The recruiter then shares the interview with the candidate via email, text, or an open link.
Next, the candidate receives an invitation with a secure link. When the candidate opens the link, they’re guided through the interview. Each question appears on the screen one at a time. The candidate records their response, submits it, and moves on to the next question. Once all questions are completed, the interview is submitted.
The recruiter then receives a notification that you’ve submitted the interview and reviews the responses. They watch the recordings, read written answers, and score responses based on skills and knowledge required for the position. The recruiter then makes a hiring or shortlist decision according to the candidate’s interview performance.
What This Means for Candidates
For candidates, pre-recorded interviews remove the pressure of coordinating schedules. There’s no need to take time off work or worry about time zones. Candidates can complete the interview from wherever they feel comfortable.
What This Means for Recruiters
Instead of scheduling dozens of calls, recruiters can review multiple interviews at a time that suits them. Multiple team members can review the same interview, leave scores, and share feedback without coordination bottlenecks. Because responses are recorded, recruiters can also revisit answers later or compare candidates more consistently.
Pre-Recorded Interviews with Jobma
Jobma makes pre-recorded interviews easy to create, send, and review. Recruiters can invite candidates, use multiple question formats, and apply structured scoring to evaluate responses. Candidates get a guided, straightforward experience that walks them through each step without confusion.
At its core, a pre-recorded interview isn’t about replacing human conversations. It’s a tool to collect interview responses asynchronously, so both recruiters and candidates can move through the hiring process more smoothly and at their own pace.
Related Article: How to Use Jobma AI for Candidate Interviews
