Asynchronous vs. Live Video Interviews: Which Is Better for Businesses?
The Hiring Dilemma
Hiring teams today have more tools than ever. Traditional in-person interviews have given way to live video interviews and now, increasingly, to asynchronous AI video interviews.
But which one is better for your business? Is live video still the gold standard, or are asynchronous interviews the future?
Let’s explore both, weigh their pros and cons, and help you choose the best approach for your organization.
What Are Live Video Interviews?
Live video interviews are exactly what they sound like. Real-time conversations conducted over video calling platforms. They replicate the structure of an in-person interview but online.
Pros of Live Video Interviews:
- Immediate interaction with candidates.
- Ability to probe deeper based on live responses.
- Gives a personal touch for final rounds.
Cons of Live Video Interviews:
- Scheduling nightmares.
- Time-zone conflicts for global candidates.
- Interviewer fatigue when screening large volumes.
- Still prone to subjective evaluation and bias.
What Are Asynchronous Video Interviews?
Asynchronous (or on-demand) video interviews allow candidates to record their answers at their convenience, responding to pre-set questions.
With AI video interviews like ACHNET’s iJupiter, an AI Avatar asks the questions, and the AI evaluates the responses in real-time.
Pros of Asynchronous Video Interviews:
- Candidates complete interviews anytime, anywhere.
- Recruiters can review interviews at their convenience.
- Scalable for high-volume hiring.
- AI can analyze responses instantly for content, tone, and confidence.
Cons of Asynchronous Interviews:
- No live follow-up questions (unless designed into the AI).
- Some candidates may initially find it unusual (but most adapt quickly).
Key Differences Between Asynchronous and Live Interviews
| Feature | Live Video Interviews | Asynchronous AI Interviews |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduling | Requires coordination | No scheduling needed |
| Scalability | Limited by recruiter time | Scales to thousands easily |
| Candidate Experience | Fixed time slots | Flexible, anytime |
| Evaluation | Subjective & manual | AI-driven, structured, unbiased |
| Cost & Time | Higher recruiter bandwidth | Much lower time & cost |
When to Use Live vs. Asynchronous
Use Live Video Interviews for final rounds or senior roles where interaction is key.
Use Asynchronous AI Interviews for screening large candidate pools, high-volume hiring, or when you need structured evaluations fast.
For example, a retail chain hiring 1,000 seasonal workers won’t benefit from live video interviews as it’s simply too time-consuming. Asynchronous AI interviews with ACHNET’s AI Agent iJupiter are far better for scaling.
Why Businesses Are Choosing Asynchronous AI Interviews
Both live and asynchronous interviews have their place. Teams using asynchronous video interviews have a serious advantage. With iJupiter, businesses are seeing:
- Up to 90% reduction in time-to-hire.
- Consistent evaluation metrics.
- Better candidate experience (no time-zone stress).
It’s not about replacing live interviews entirely—it’s about using AI interviews to filter top candidates fast, so recruiters can focus on high-value conversations.
Want to see how asynchronous AI video interviews can cut your hiring time by up to 90%?
Check out ACHNET’s AI Agent iJupiter