09/17/2026
One-way. Asynchronous. On-demand. Pre-recorded. Different terms, but are they actually different?
These four terms are used for the same basic interview format. And while they are technically identical, recruiting teams often use them interchangeably.
Here's the simple breakdown:
- One-way means the candidate records their answers without a live interviewer present.
- Asynchronous has more of an emphasis on timing. The candidate and hiring team complete their parts separately.
- On-demand highlights the flexibility. Candidates can complete the interview when it works for them, within the given deadline.
- Pre-recorded describes the format. The candidate submits a recording instead of joining a live call.
Different terms for the same screening interview format.
Then there are terms like digital and virtual, which are much broader. A Zoom interview is virtual. So is a recorded video interview. The same goes for digital.
So when someone says, “Let's do a virtual interview,” you still don't know if there's a calendar invite involved.
It sounds like a small distinction, but knowing the difference can make it a lot easier to communicate clearly with candidates and your own hiring team.
And honestly, candidates probably don't care which term you use. They just want to know what they need to do, when they need to do it, and what happens next.
We broke down what a video interview is, the terminology around them, and how to explain them to candidates without the jargon:
Confused by one-way, asynchronous, on-demand, and virtual interviews? Here is a clear guide to help recruiters and hiring managers align on video screening terms.