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
Sample Response
Dear Sir or Madam, I am writing to apologise as I will not be able to present myself for the interview which is scheduled for the second week of November. My project manager will be out of the country during this time and I will have to manage the team during his absence. I am hoping that you would be kind enough to reschedule the interview for sometime in December. I am eagerly waiting to meet you in a formal interview and discuss my potential for the post of Executive Manager. However, my project manager called me yesterday to notify me that he will be in Canada from 15th to 25th November. He asked me to look after the project during his absence. Therefore I will be incapable to attend the interview as planned. I would request you to postpone the interview date to a later date - preferably in December. This would allow me enough time to complete my tasks and be available for the interview. I aspire to work in your esteemed organisation and hoping to get a chance. I look forward to getting a favourable reply from you soon. Thank you for your time and consideration. Yours faithfully, Jessica Jeremy
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Natural phrase Original: present myself for the interview Suggested revision: attend the interview Why it matters: This is the standard phrase for going to an interview.
- 2. Clear date request Original: for sometime in December Suggested revision: for a date in December Why it matters: This is clearer and more formal.
- 3. Formal tone Original: eagerly waiting Suggested revision: looking forward Why it matters: This is a more natural professional phrase.
- 4. Job title phrase Original: post of Executive Manager Suggested revision: position of Executive Manager Why it matters: 'Position' is more natural than 'post' in this context.
- 5. Avoid false contrast Original: However, my project manager Suggested revision: My project manager Why it matters: There is no contrast here; the sentence continues the explanation.
- 6. Date style Original: from 15th to 25th November Suggested revision: from 15 to 25 November Why it matters: This is a cleaner formal date style.
- 7. Professional verb Original: look after the project Suggested revision: oversee the project Why it matters: This sounds more professional in a workplace letter.
- 8. Comma after connector Original: Therefore I Suggested revision: Therefore, I Why it matters: Use a comma after the introductory connector.
- 9. Adjective pattern Original: incapable to attend Suggested revision: unable to attend Why it matters: The correct pattern is 'unable to attend', not 'incapable to attend'.
- 10. Dash style Original: later date - preferably Suggested revision: later date, preferably Why it matters: A comma is smoother and more formal here.
- 11. Natural verb Original: allow me enough time Suggested revision: give me enough time Why it matters: This is a simpler and more natural collocation.
- 12. Natural interest Original: aspire to work Suggested revision: am very interested in working Why it matters: This sounds less stiff and more natural in a job letter.
Suggested Rewrites
- present myself for the interview attend the interview
- for sometime in December for a date in December
- eagerly waiting looking forward
- post of Executive Manager position of Executive Manager
- However, my project manager My project manager
- from 15th to 25th November from 15 to 25 November
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Detailed feedback by IELTS writing criterion after the annotated essay.
Task Achievement
The letter clearly apologises, explains the scheduling conflict, requests a later interview date, and confirms continued interest in the job. The communicative purpose is achieved well.
Keep the clear bullet-point coverage, but remove repeated explanation of the project manager's absence to make the request more efficient.
Coherence and Cohesion
The ideas are logically ordered, but the response is one continuous paragraph and repeats the reason for rescheduling. This slightly weakens cohesion.
Use separate paragraphs for apology, reason, rescheduling request, continued interest, and closing.
Lexical Resource
Vocabulary is appropriate and formal overall, with some strong phrases. A few choices are unnatural or too heavy, such as 'present myself', 'incapable to attend', and 'aspire to work'.
Use direct professional phrases such as 'attend the interview', 'unable to attend', and 'remain very interested'.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
Grammar is mostly controlled, but errors appear in prepositions, infinitive patterns, punctuation after connectors, and some long sentences.
Check connector punctuation and fixed adjective patterns, especially 'unable to attend' and 'interested in working'.