With remote work on the rise and teams spread across different time zones, the traditional interview process feels a bit old school. What if there was a way to make it more efficient, save time, and find the best talent? Enter asynchronous interviews.
This interview format is changing the way companies hire and allowing candidates to show off their skills on their own time. Imagine being able to record answers whenever you want and review responses whenever you like. Sounds good, right? But how do asynchronous interviews work, and how can you use them to hire smarter, faster, and more efficiently?
In this post, we’ll cover everything you need to know about asynchronous interviews, how they benefit employers and candidates, and how you can start using them today. Let’s get started and see how this can change your recruitment game!
What are Asynchronous Interviews?
Asynchronous interviews are a type of job interview where the candidate and interviewer don’t interact in real-time. Instead of scheduling a live video call or meeting, candidates are asked to record their answers to interview questions on their own time. Those recorded answers are then reviewed by the hiring team later.
This is super flexible. Candidates don’t have to worry about time zone differences or trying to fit in with the interviewer’s schedule. They can take their time to think through their answers and answer when it’s convenient for them. Hiring teams can review the answers at their own pace, save time, and evaluate many candidates more efficiently.
In short, asynchronous interviews are all about giving both the candidate and employer more control over the timing of the interview, making the process more flexible and efficient.
Benefits of Asynchronous Interviews in the Hiring Process
Asynchronous interviews are also called one-way video interviews. This one-way interview brings several benefits to both job candidates and hiring companies. Here are some of the advantages:
Flexibility for Candidates
Since candidates don’t have to be available at a specific time, they can record their answers when it suits them. This is super helpful for those in different time zones or with busy schedules, making the interview process less stressful.
Time-Saving for Employers
Hiring teams don’t have to coordinate schedules or spend hours on back-and-forth interviews. They can watch recorded answers at their own pace, save time, and review multiple candidates in no time.
Better Answers
Asynchronous video interviewing makes candidates feel more at ease. They can give more thoughtful, clear answers. This helps interviewers get a better sense of the candidate’s skills and personality.
Wider Talent Pool
Pre-recorded video interviews allow companies to reach a wider talent pool. There’s no need to worry about location or scheduling conflicts, so companies can consider candidates from all over the world and increase diversity in their hiring process.
Faster Screening
Hiring teams can watch interview recordings whenever they like. This makes it easier to compare different candidates’ answers side by side and make decisions faster, especially in the early stages of the recruitment process.
Less Bias
Since the interview is not live, hiring managers can focus on the candidate’s answers rather than getting distracted by body language or other unconscious biases. This means a more objective assessment.
Better Candidate Experience
Candidates love the flexibility of video interviews as they can present themselves best without the pressure of a live interview. This can create a better impression of the company.
How to Use Asynchronous Interviews?
Using asynchronous interviews is simple, and it can really streamline your hiring process. Here’s how you can set it up:
1. Choose the Right Tool
First, you’ll need to choose a tool that allows candidates to record their answers. There are several options, such as HireVue, Spark Hire, and VidCruiter, for asynchronous interviews. These tools allow candidates to record video answers to pre-set questions, which the hiring team can review later.
2. Prepare Your Questions
Before you invite candidates to record their answers, make sure you have clear and thoughtful questions. These should be the same for all candidates so you can compare answers easily. Stick to questions about skills, experience, and cultural fit.
3. Provide Clear Instructions
Let candidates know how the process will work. For example, you can tell them how much time they have to answer each question if they can re-record their answers, and how they should submit their video. This will make them feel more at ease and confident.
4. Give Them Enough Time to Answer
Give candidates enough time to record their answers. Balance gives them time to prepare without dragging the process too long. Typically, candidates should have a few days to complete the interview.
5. Review the Responses
Once candidates submit their recordings, watch the videos and assess each answer. You can watch at your own pace, which helps you focus on each answer better. You may want to take notes or rate each candidate to keep track of your thoughts.
6. Follow Up with Shortlisted Candidates
If you want to move forward with any candidate after watching their videos, you can invite them for the next round of interviews, whether live or another recorded step.
7. Communicate
Throughout the process, keep candidates informed. Let them know when they need to submit their interview videos and when they can expect to hear back. Clear communication makes the process smoother for everyone.
8. Be Professional
Although asynchronous interviews are convenient, don’t forget to be professional. Treat the candidates with respect and time, just like any other part of the hiring process.
Asynchronous Interviews vs. Synchronous Interviews
There are two types of job interviews: asynchronous and synchronous. Both have their pros and cons, and understanding the difference can help you decide which one is best for your hiring process. Here’s a quick comparison:
Asynchronous Interviews
In an asynchronous interview, candidates record their answers to pre-set questions on their own time. Interviewers review the responses later.
Pros:
- Flexibility: Candidates can answer questions whenever they want; no need to coordinate schedules.
- Time-Saving: Employers don’t need to schedule interviews and can watch answers at their own pace.
- Reduced Pressure: Candidates have time to think and answer questions carefully.
- Broader Candidate Pool: Since no scheduling is required, companies can interview candidates from different time zones or locations.
Cons:
- Less Personal Interaction: No chance to connect live with candidates, which might make it harder to gauge their personality or communication style.
- Limited Feedback: Employers can’t ask follow-up questions in real-time to get more insight.
Synchronous Interviews
A synchronous interview is a live, real-time conversation between the candidate and the interviewer, usually over a video call or phone call.
Pros:
- Real-Time Interaction: Interviewers can ask follow-up questions immediately based on a candidate’s answers.
- Personal Connection: It’s easier to assess body language, tone of voice, and overall communication style.
- Immediate Feedback: Candidates can ask questions during the interview and get immediate responses.
Cons:
- Scheduling Conflicts: Coordinating a time that works for both the candidate and the interviewer can be challenging, especially across time zones.
- Pressure: Candidates may feel nervous or pressured in a live setting, which could affect their performance.
- Time-Consuming: Synchronous interviews require both parties to be available at the same time, which can take up more time than reviewing recorded answers.
Which One Is Better?
It really depends on your needs:
- Asynchronous interviews are good if you need more flexibility and to screen multiple candidates quickly.
- Synchronous interviews are better if you want to have a more human connection with candidates and assess their communication skills in real time.
Both can work, but understanding the pros and cons of each can help you decide which one is best for your hiring process.
How to Design Effective Asynchronous Interviews with QuestionPro?
Creating asynchronous interviews with QuestionPro makes your hiring process smoother, faster, and more efficient. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to create effective async interviews with the platform:
1. Create Clear and Focused Questions
Think about what skills and qualities you want to assess in candidates. Make sure your questions are clear, relevant, and easy to understand. A mix of question types works best:
- Behavioral questions (Tell us about a time you solved a challenging problem)
- Technical questions (What experience do you have with X software?)
- Situational questions (How would you handle Y’s situation at work?)
This will help you get a well-rounded view of the candidate’s abilities.
2. Choose How Candidates Will Respond
QuestionPro allows candidates to answer questions via video, audio, or text. For a more human touch, video responses are great, but if you’re assessing verbal communication, audio can work just as well. Let candidates know they can re-record their answers if they need to so they can feel comfortable with their responses.
3. Provide Clear Instructions
Clear instructions are crucial. Let candidates know:
- How long do they have to answer each question (e.g., 2 minutes per question)
- Whether they can re-record their answers or not
- The deadline for submitting their responses
By being clear about expectations, job seekers will feel more at ease and know what to do.
4. Set a Submission Deadline
Give candidates a reasonable amount of time to complete the interview, like 2 to 3 days. This way, they won’t feel rushed, and you’ll have time to review their answers.
5. Brand Your Interview
You can customize your interview on QuestionPro to match your company’s look and feel. Add your logo and choose colors that match your brand to make the experience more professional and engaging for candidates.
6. Automate Reminders
QuestionPro allows you to set reminders for candidates who haven’t completed their interview yet. This saves you time from chasing candidates and keeps them on track with deadlines.
7. Review and Evaluate Responses
Once candidates submit their video or audio answers, you can review them at your own pace. QuestionPro allows you to take notes, rate answers, and even tag answers for easy comparison. This helps you assess candidates better.
8. Communicate Next Steps
Once you’ve reviewed the answers, let the candidates know. Use QuestionPro’s automated messaging to send feedback or let candidates know what’s next in the process.
9. Stay Organized
As you get more submissions, you’ll need to stay organized. QuestionPro’s reporting and analytics make it easy to compare answers and see which candidates are best for the role.
Conclusion
Asynchronous interviews are changing the hiring process to make it faster, more flexible, and more efficient. By allowing candidates to record their answers at their convenience and giving hiring teams the time to review them, this interview format benefits both employers and candidates.
Use QuestionPro to build your asynchronous interview. Create clear questions, give candidates flexibility, and stay organized. Hire better today!
