It Really Takes 5 Minutes
One of the biggest misconceptions about async video interviewing is that it requires a complex setup. In reality, creating and sending your first async interview takes less time than scheduling a single phone screen. Here is exactly how to do it.
Step 1: Define Your Questions (2 Minutes)
Start with 3-5 questions tailored to the role. You do not need to reinvent the wheel. Most platforms, including StormInterview, offer question libraries organized by role type and competency. A solid screening interview might include:
- One motivation question: "What attracted you to this role?"
- One behavioral question: "Tell us about a challenging project you led and the outcome."
- One role-specific question: relevant to the technical or functional requirements
- One culture question: "What kind of work environment brings out your best?"
Schmidt & Hunter (1998) confirms that structured interviews with consistent questions are 2x more predictive of job performance. Picking your questions upfront is the foundation of a structured process.
Step 2: Configure the Interview Settings (1 Minute)
Set the parameters for the candidate experience:
- Preparation time: 30-60 seconds before each question for candidates to gather their thoughts
- Response time: 2-3 minutes per question is standard for screening
- Re-record option: Allow at least one re-record to reduce candidate anxiety
- Deadline: Set a 5-7 day window for candidates to complete the interview
Step 3: Add a Welcome Message (1 Minute)
This is optional but highly recommended. A short text introduction or, even better, a brief welcome video from the hiring manager humanizes the process. Mention the role, the team, and what to expect. This small touch significantly improves completion rates.
Remember: 60% of candidates quit processes they find impersonal or frustrating (iCIMS, 2025). A warm welcome sets the right tone.
Step 4: Invite Candidates (1 Minute)
Enter candidate email addresses or share a universal link. Most async interview platforms integrate with popular ATS systems, so you can trigger invitations directly from your candidate pipeline. Candidates receive a link, click it, and record, no account creation, no app downloads, no friction.
With 67% of candidates applying from mobile (Appcast, 2024), ensure your platform works on phones. StormInterview's interview experience is fully mobile-optimized.
Step 5: Review and Decide
As responses come in, review them at your convenience. Most reviewers find they can evaluate a candidate's async response in 3-5 minutes, compared to the 30+ minutes a phone screen takes when you include scheduling and note-taking. interviewstream (2025) data confirms that video interviews are 6x faster than phone screens.
Use a structured scorecard to rate each response on the competencies you defined in Step 1. Share recordings with your team for collaborative evaluation.
Common First-Timer Mistakes to Avoid
- Too many questions: Stick to 3-5. More questions mean lower completion rates.
- Time limits too short: If candidates feel rushed, their responses will not reflect their abilities.
- No re-record: Candidates who cannot re-record feel more anxious, which hurts response quality.
- Vague questions: Be specific about what you want to learn from each question.
Ready to Start?
The average time-to-hire is 44 days (Gem, 2025). The faster you start screening, the sooner you reach the right candidate, and with 60% of candidates quit slow hiring processes (iCIMS (2025)), every day matters.
Start a free trial of StormInterview and create your first async video interview right now, it really does take under 5 minutes.