What is a pre-recorded interview?

An pre-recorded interview – also known as a one-way interview, automated interview, video interview, asynchronous interview, or time-shifted interview – is a type of job interview where candidates respond to a set of predefined questions on their own time. Answers can be submitted via video, audio, or text, without needing to schedule a live call.

Benefits of pre-recorded interviews:

• Candidates can respond whenever and wherever it suits them

• Everyone answers the same questions, ensuring fairness

• Asynchronous means no scheduling headaches for recruiters or candidates

• Recruiters can ask questions via video, giving candidates a sense of the team

How does it work?

Hiring teams set up the interview in advance by choosing the questions and formats. Candidates then receive an invitation and respond when it works best for them – whether that’s in the evening after work or early in the morning with coffee in hand. It’s a small change that makes a big difference for busy applicants.

Why recruiters, hiring managers, and candidates love it

Pre-recorded interviews take the pressure off everyone involved in hiring. Recruiters save time, avoid scheduling chaos, and can compare responses more fairly. Hiring managers appreciate being involved earlier in the process and get to review candidates when it suits their schedule—no need to block out hours for first-round calls. And candidates enjoy the flexibility and often feel more at ease when they can respond on their own terms.

It’s a win-win-win: faster decisions, better collaboration, and a smoother experience for all.

But won’t this scare off my candidates?

A fair question – and one we hear often. The short answer is: no. In fact, candidates rate their experience on our platform an average of 9.1 out of 10. Why? Because it’s personal, flexible, and respectful of their time.

With Cammio, candidates can choose to respond by video, audio, or text – whatever makes them feel most comfortable. Recruiters also decide how many retries are allowed and how long candidates have to respond. It’s structured, but still human.

And the best part? The hiring team can be on screen too. Each question can be introduced with a video from the actual recruiter or manager, so candidates already get a feel for the people behind the process and the company culture they’re stepping into.

Bottom line:
An asynchronous interview isn’t just a tech solution – it’s a new way of connecting with talent. Flexible, efficient, and candidate-friendly. If you want to stand out in a competitive job market, this is the kind of experience today’s applicants are looking for.