At first glance, asynchronous interviews seem much more straightforward than those you have to conduct in person. You have more time to prepare, think through your responses, and even edit out any mistakes you might make.

However, that doesn’t mean you should take async interviews lightly. You still need to ensure that you make the right impression and look formal and professional. You can’t do that if your videos are grainy, your microphone is barely audible, and your entire recording looks amateurish at best.

So, learn how you can make your async video interview flawless.

In this article
    1. Practice Answers and Delivery
    2. Review Answers
    3. Thank the Interviewer and Follow Up
    4. Research the Company and the Position
    1. Ensure Good Lighting
    2. Keep Still and Be Focused
    3. Test Video/Audio
    4. Try to Be Confident

What Is an Asynchronous Interview

Before we get into the details of how you can improve your video, we need to shed some light on the meaning of asynchronous interviews.

As the name implies, async interviews are pre-recorded videos that allow recruiters to get to know more about prospective employees before making a hiring decision.

They don’t happen in real-time. Instead, the recruiters send you a series of pre-recorded asynchronous video interview questions (that can be video or text-based), and you’re supposed to record your answers and then send the video back to the recruiters.

How an Asynchronous Video Interview Works

woman recording an asynchronous interview

Recruiters most commonly take one of two approaches to asynchronous video interviews – they either use special software for video interviewing or send a list of questions and request interviewees record their responses by themselves.

With the first approach, recruiters will send you a Image name to their asynchronous interview software. There, you’ll be presented with one question at a time (in video or text form). Usually, you’ll get about 30 seconds to read the question and come up with the answer. Then, you’ll have around 2 minutes to record your answer (the precise time may vary).

Depending on the software used, you might be able to edit or rerecord your response if you’re not satisfied.

With the second approach, you’ll be able to pre-record all your answers at once using any software of your choosing and send your video in after you’re completely satisfied with it. You’ll still have to respect the time limits provided, but you’ll have some more freedom to record yourself how you see fit.

Things You Need to Create an Asynchronous Interview Video

woman using a camera to record async interview

Asynchronous online interviews are designed to be as easy and convenient as possible for everyone involved. Therefore, there aren’t many things you’ll be required to have to be able to record your video:

  • Formal clothing – even though the interview isn’t in-person, you’ll want to be dressed to impress;
  • Functional camera – whether you’re using async tools provided by the recruiters or your own video recorder/editor, you’ll need a good camera (your computer’s webcam or your phone camera could do the job just fine);
  • Functional microphone – you’ll need the recruiters to be able to hear and understand you well, so a good microphone is a must (again, the built-in mic on your phone or computer should be enough);
  • Good lighting – with good lighting, even the worst camera will be able to show your face clearly (use at least a desk lamp behind the camera);
  • Distraction-free environment – you don’t need a nicely decorated office, but you’ll want to minimize noise and movement in your background to seem more professional.

In case the recruiters don’t have their own async tools for you to use, you might also need a video recorder and editor that can make your interview truly pop.

How to Prepare for an Asynchronous Interview

person using computer and microphone for async interview

If you’ve never had an asynchronous interview before, this whole process may be nerve-wracking. However, you’ll need to keep in mind that it’s essentially no different than an in-person interview. You’ll want to highlight your strengths and give the recruiters a chance to get to know you and what you bring to the table.

Here are a few tips that could help you have a better experience with this interview type.

Practice Answers and Delivery

In most instances, you won’t get a chance to go over the questions in advance and carefully prepare your responses. Still, you can expect at least a few common asynchronous interview questions and practice your answers – “Why are you interested in this position?”, “Have you worked in a similar position before?”, “Why should we hire you?”, etc.

Think about what experiences, skills, and expertise you’d like to highlight and how you can convince the recruiters that you’re the best person for the job. Then, practice your delivery.

There’s no need to memorize your answers word-for-word (after all, the questions could be posed differently). Instead, focus on the overall idea of what you’d like the recruiter to know and practice different ways to express it.

Review Answers

If the recruiters allow you to record your interview using your tools, or if their software allows you to review your answers, make sure to do so. Reviewing every answer will enable you to catch mistakes before it’s too late and perfect your delivery.

Maybe your answer was perfect, but you were fidgeting and nervously playing with your pen. You might have forgotten to mention an important detail. Perhaps some background noise made you inaudible for a moment. Whatever the case is, reviewing your answers before sending them will help you perfect your video and potentially increase your chances of landing the job.

Thank the Interviewer and Follow Up

Even though you won’t have any real-time interactions with your interviewers during an async meeting, you’ll still have to mind your manners and be polite. So, make sure to thank the interviewer at the end of your recording.

In some cases, the software the recruiters are using will allow you to make a short final recording after the last question. In some instances, you won’t be able to add anything more after the final question, so you’ll need to include your thanks in your final answer.

Additionally, make sure to follow up with the recruiters after the meeting. You could send a simple email thanking them for their time and hoping to hear from them soon.

Research the Company and the Position

Of course, considering that an asynchronous interview is just like a standard job interview, you’ll want to be well-prepared for it. That means thoroughly researching the company and the position you’re applying for before you record your video.

If you come to the interview with no knowledge of the company you’re applying to, you’ll seem unprofessional, disorganized, and disinterested. It goes without saying that this could hurt your chances of getting hired.

How to Set Everything Up for the Recording

laptop and microphone on a table

Once you’ve properly prepared for the interview, it’s time to set everything up. Whether you’ll be using the recruiter-provided tools or your own video recorder and editor, you’ll want to pay attention to a few things.

Ensure Good Lighting

As briefly mentioned, good lighting is essential for your asynchronous video interview. You want the recruiters to be able to see your face and overall demeanor clearly.

While a simple desk lamp behind the camera could be enough, consider getting yourself a cheap ring lamp. These lamps provide nice diffused light and eliminate any distracting shadows.

Alternatively, try to record yourself in daylight, but make sure that the light comes from behind the camera, not from behind you.

Keep Still and Be Focused

It’s perfectly natural to be nervous during both in-person and asynchronous interviews. However, if you let that show and you start twirling in your chair, shaking your leg, looking everywhere around the room instead of directly into the camera, you’ll seem highly unprofessional.

Try to keep still and maintain your composure. Focus on the questions at hand and try to provide clear, direct answers.

It’s vital to stick to the topic if you’re using recruiter-provided software since you’ll likely have a short amount of time for each answer.

Test Video/Audio

Whether you’re using software provided by the recruiters or your own tools, you’ll want to double-check your video and audio before you start recording yourself.

Some recruiter-provided software won’t allow you to re-record yourself or review your answers before submitting them. So, if your video/audio isn’t working properly, you’ll miss the opportunity to impress your potential employer.

Try to Be Confident

Perhaps most importantly, you’ll want to try and be confident when setting everything up for your interview. Even if you don’t check all the boxes for the position you’re applying for, a bit of confidence could help you land the job.

If you’ve practiced your answers and delivery, researched the role and the company, and prepared for your interview, there’s nothing to worry about. After all, if your CV and resume weren’t good enough, you wouldn’t have been invited to the interview. So, be confident in your skills and abilities, and let your confidence show.

Best Tool for Recording Asynchronous Interview Videos - DemoCreator

wondershare democreator interface
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If you’re allowed to use your own tools for your asynchronous video interview, there’s no better option than Wondershare DemoCreator.

An all-in-one video editor and recorder, DemoCreator enables you to make professional-looking videos in just a few simple clicks.

Record your webcam and microphone, and even include a screen recording if you need to highlight any details in your interview.

You can use the tool to create a virtual background to make your videos look more professional and even to denoise your audio and ensure that your answers are crisp and clear. Edit your audio and video, add unique effects, and take advantage of dozens of AI tools designed to make your asynchronous videos flawless.

To record your interview with Wondershare DemoCreator, you’ll just have to follow a few simple steps:

Step 1: Download and launch Wondershare DemoCreator on your computer and create an account;

Step 2: Among the six recording modes, select Camera;

Step 3: Customize recording settings (screen size, camera and audio configuration, background, etc.);

customize background in wondershare democreator

Step 4: Press Rec to start recording;

Step 5: Click the Exit button to stop recording.

When you’ve created your video interview, you can further edit it directly in Wondershare DemoCreator. Once you’re done, export it and save it on your computer, then share it with your recruiters.

Conclusion

Asynchronous interviews can be stressful, but they’re hardly any different from traditional in-person ones. You’ll still need to do your research about the company and position, think about how you will highlight your skills and expertise, and try to present yourself as professionally as possible.

With the help of Wondershare DemoCreator, you can rest easy knowing that your async videos will be flawless, so you can focus on more important things at hand – like impressing your recruiters.

Alma Elliott
Alma Elliott Apr 11, 24
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