General Training Writing Task 1 · formal · request

Letter to an Employer Requesting Interview Rescheduling: IELTS formal letter sample

An IELTS General Training Writing Task 1 formal letter with a Band 8 sample answer, why it scores well and the phrases worth borrowing for your own letter writing.
  • 193 words
  • Formal letters
  • Request
  • 20 minutes
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The task

You were supposed to go on an interview in a few weeks, but you have since found out you cannot go on the date arranged.

Write a letter to the potential employer. In your letter:

  • →tell them why you need to move the interview time
  • →ask to change the interview date
  • →explain that you are still interested in being interviewed for the job

Write at least 150 words. You do not need to write any addresses. Begin your letter: Dear ...,

Model answer

Band 8 sample letter

Band 8193 words. Names and details are invented; write your own.

Dear Mr. Henderson,

I am writing regarding the scheduled interview for the Senior Project Manager position, which is currently set for the 15th of October. Unfortunately, I need to request a change to this date due to an unavoidable professional commitment.

My current employer has just confirmed that I am required to represent the firm at an urgent industry conference in Manchester on that specific day. As this event involves presenting our quarterly results to key stakeholders, my attendance is mandatory and cannot be delegated to another team member.

Given this conflict, I would like to inquire if it might be possible to reschedule our meeting for later that week. I am available anytime on the 17th or 18th of October, or alternatively, the following Monday. Please let me know if any of these options align with your availability.

Despite this scheduling setback, I remain genuinely enthusiastic about the opportunity to join your team. I have long admired your company’s innovative approach to sustainable design and am eager to discuss how my expertise could contribute to your ongoing projects.

Thank you for your time and understanding regarding this matter.

Yours sincerely,

Jonathan Sterling

Write your own and get a band

Answer this prompt in a timed General Training writing test and get a band for task achievement, coherence, vocabulary and grammar, with the sentences to fix.

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Examiner's view

Why this scores well

This response achieves Band 8 by fully addressing all bullet points with a professional, consistent tone and sophisticated vocabulary. A common Band 6 mistake is failing to provide a clear, specific reason for the scheduling conflict or being too informal for a potential employer.

  • →Write to an organisation or someone you do not know: open with Dear Sir or Madam, close with Yours faithfully.
  • →If you know the person's surname, use Dear Mr or Ms and close with Yours sincerely.
  • →No contractions, no slang; polite indirect requests such as I would be grateful if you could.

6 phrases

Useful phrases from the letter

  • unavoidable professional commitment

    a work duty that cannot be missed

  • mandatory

    required by rules or a specific situation

  • delegated

    given a task to another person

  • scheduling setback

    an unexpected delay or change in plans

  • genuinely enthusiastic

    feeling sincere excitement about a specific opportunity

  • align with your availability

    fit into the time you are free

Frequently asked questions

Is this letter formal or informal?+

Formal. Write to an organisation or someone you do not know: open with Dear Sir or Madam, close with Yours faithfully.

How many words should an IELTS General Training letter be?+

At least 150 words, and 160 to 200 is the comfortable range. Spend about 20 minutes on it and leave 40 for Task 2, which carries twice the marks.

What does the examiner look for?+

This response achieves Band 8 by fully addressing all bullet points with a professional, consistent tone and sophisticated vocabulary. A common Band 6 mistake is failing to provide a clear, specific reason for the scheduling conflict or being too informal for a potential employer.

Keep practising

More request letters

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