As online and hybrid job interviews become more common, understanding what helps candidates participate confidently is increasingly important. This study examines how digital interview preparedness, accessibility, flexibility and communication barriers shape candidate engagement and preference for future online or hybrid interviews. It uses an Opportunity–Capability–Friction (OCF) framework, which connects the opportunities offered by digital interviewing with candidates’ readiness to participate and the difficulties they encounter. Survey responses from 250 participants with experience of technology-mediated job interviews showed that greater preparedness, accessibility and flexibility were associated with stronger engagement, while communication barriers were associated with lower engagement. Candidates who reported greater engagement were also more likely to prefer online or hybrid interviews in the future. The findings suggest that a positive digital interview experience depends on more than convenience: candidates need to feel prepared, access the interview easily and communicate effectively. By placing candidate preparedness and experience at the centre of digital interviewing, the study offers practical insights for organisations seeking to improve engagement and support future acceptance of online and hybrid recruitment.