Interview invitation letter template

£9.90

The Interview Invitation Letter Template provides a professional and welcoming way to invite a shortlisted candidate to an interview. It confirms the interview date, time, location and format while giving the candidate clear information about what to expect and anything they need to bring or prepare.

Use this template to:

  • Invite a shortlisted candidate to interview.
  • Confirm the date, time and interview format.
  • Provide clear location or joining instructions.
  • Explain who the candidate will meet.
  • Set out anything the candidate needs to prepare or bring.
  • Create a professional and consistent candidate experience.
Interview invitation letter template
2026 Ready

What's included in this template

This template brings together the key information, sections and considerations you need to create a clear, comprehensive and professional HR document. Preview the document below.

  • Interview invitation and role details
  • Date, time and location
  • Interview format and attendees
  • Preparation and documents required
  • Accessibility and reasonable adjustments
  • Confirmation and contact details
Specifications
Access 12 months (includes updates)
Length 323 words · 2 pages
Jurisdiction England, Wales and Scotland
Based on UK employment law, ACAS guidance
Last review 24/08/2026
Next review 24/02/2027
Delivery Instant download
Formats .doc · .txt · email

Download .doc

Copy [to paste]

Email
Template

[Sender name]

[Sender address]

[date]

[Recipient name]

[Recipient address]

 

Dear [Recipient first name],

Invitation to Interview – [Job Title]

Thank you for your application for the position of [Job Title] with [Company Name].

We were pleased to review your application and would like to invite you to an interview to discuss your experience, skills and suitability for the role in more detail.

Interview details

Date: [Date]
Time: [Time]
Duration: [Approximate duration]
Location / Meeting link: [Details]
Interview format: [In person / Video / Telephone]
Interviewers: [Names / Job titles]

What to expect

The interview will provide an opportunity for us to

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Implementation guidance

Use these best practice actions, recommended timescales and process stages to understand when and how the Interview invitation letter should be used, helping ensure each step is handled consistently and appropriately documented.

Step Description Responsibility Timing (Days from Issue)
1 Shortlist the Candidate: Review applications against the agreed selection criteria and confirm which candidates should progress to interview. Recruitment / Hiring Manager Day -7 to Day -3
2 Agree Interview Arrangements: Confirm the interview date, time, format, location, interviewers and any assessment or preparation required. HR / Hiring Manager Day -3 to Day -1
3 Send the Invitation: Issue the Interview Invitation Letter with all relevant details and clear instructions for confirming attendance. HR / Recruitment Day 0
4 Confirm Attendance: Record the candidate's response and address any questions, alternative dates or reasonable adjustment requirements before the interview. HR / Recruitment Day 1 to Day 3
5 Prepare for Interview: Ensure the interview panel has the candidate's application, agreed questions and selection criteria and is ready to conduct a fair and consistent interview. Hiring Manager / Interview Panel Day 3 to Interview Date
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What is an interview invitation letter?

An Interview Invitation Letter is sent to a candidate who has been shortlisted for a vacancy and invited to take part in an interview. It formally confirms the interview arrangements while providing the candidate with the information they need to attend and prepare.

A clear invitation can also help create a positive candidate experience by setting expectations before the interview takes place.

What is it used for?

The letter confirms practical details such as the date, time, location, interview format and people attending. It can also explain whether the candidate needs to prepare anything in advance or bring particular documents or examples.

The template can be adapted for face-to-face, video or telephone interviews and for different types of selection process.

Who should use it?

The template is suitable for HR professionals, recruiters, hiring managers and employers inviting candidates to an interview for a permanent, temporary, part-time or other role.

What should happen after the invitation?

The employer should confirm the candidate's attendance and ensure that interviewers have the relevant application materials and agreed assessment criteria. Any reasonable adjustment requested by the candidate should be considered before the interview.

The wider HR process

Related HR resources and workflow

Explore the HR resources that may be relevant before and / or after using the Interview invitation letter, helping you understand the wider process, maintain appropriate documentation and follow a consistent approach.

Previous
Letters
Application acknowledgement letter

An Application Acknowledgement Letter confirms receipt of a job application, expresses appreciation, and sets expectations for further communication.

This
Interview invitation letter
Next
Forms
Interview record form

Our Interview Record Form Template ensures comprehensive documentation, aiding in fair and transparent hiring decisions.

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Example

A company has shortlisted five candidates for a Production Manager vacancy. The hiring manager and HR agree that interviews will take place over two days, with the HR Manager and Operations Director attending each interview.

HR sends each shortlisted candidate an Interview Invitation Letter confirming the date, time, location, interviewers and approximate duration. The letter also explains that candidates will be asked competency-based questions and a short question about how they would approach improving production performance.

One candidate explains that they require a reasonable adjustment to attend the interview. HR discusses the requirement with the candidate and makes the necessary arrangements before confirming the interview.

The interview panel receives the same agreed questions and selection criteria for each candidate, supporting a consistent and fair recruitment process.

Common mistakes

  • Providing incomplete or unclear interview arrangements.
  • Failing to give candidates reasonable notice of the interview.
  • Using inconsistent interview arrangements or selection criteria between candidates.
  • Ignoring or making assumptions about reasonable adjustment requirements.
  • Including unnecessary questions or requirements that could create discrimination risks.
  • Failing to ensure the interview panel is properly prepared and understands the agreed selection criteria.
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HR considerations

UK employment law and best practice

This template is designed to support the process, but the document should be used alongside the relevant HR procedure and applied to the circumstances of the individual case.

An interview invitation is not simply an administrative communication. It forms part of the recruitment process and should support a fair, consistent and accessible approach to selecting candidates.

Fair recruitment

ACAS recommends that employers use fair recruitment practices and make decisions based on the requirements of the job rather than characteristics protected by discrimination law. Interview arrangements should therefore be consistent and the questions asked should be relevant to the role. https://www.acas.org.uk/recruitment

Equality Act 2010

The Equality Act 2010 protects job applicants from discrimination during recruitment. Employers should avoid questions or selection practices that could result in unlawful discrimination because of protected characteristics, unless a lawful exception applies.

Employers should also consider reasonable adjustments where a disabled candidate requires them to participate in the recruitment process. ACAS provides guidance on reasonable adjustments for disabled people and job applicants. https://www.acas.org.uk/reasonable-adjustments

Reasonable adjustments

A candidate may require an adjustment to the interview location, format, timing, communication method or assessment arrangements. The employer should consider requests individually and avoid making assumptions about what a candidate can or cannot do.

Providing an opportunity for candidates to identify adjustment requirements within the invitation can help ensure that barriers are addressed before the interview.

Recruitment records

Employers should maintain appropriate recruitment records, including information about shortlisted candidates and the selection process. ACAS recommends keeping clear records of recruitment decisions and being able to demonstrate that selection decisions were based on objective criteria. https://www.acas.org.uk/recruitment

The invitation itself does not need to contain detailed selection criteria, but it should be consistent with the recruitment process being followed.

Candidate experience

Good recruitment practice includes providing candidates with clear information about what will happen during the selection process. Giving reasonable notice of an interview, explaining what candidates should expect and providing appropriate contact arrangements can make the process clearer and more accessible.

A structured invitation also reduces the risk of candidates receiving inconsistent information about interview arrangements.

Pre-employment checks

Where a role requires specific qualifications, right to work checks, DBS checks or other pre-employment requirements, employers should explain the relevant process clearly and apply it consistently. Any checks should be appropriate to the role and carried out in accordance with the applicable legal requirements.

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FAQs

What should an interview invitation letter include?

An invitation should normally confirm the role, interview date, time, location or meeting arrangements, format, expected duration, interviewers and anything the candidate needs to prepare or bring.

Should an employer ask candidates if they need reasonable adjustments?

It is good practice to give candidates an opportunity to tell the employer about any adjustments or support they may require to participate in the recruitment process. Employers should consider appropriate requests individually and in accordance with the Equality Act 2010.

Why use HRDocBox for an Interview Invitation Letter?

HRDocBox combines deep HR knowledge, practical application and years of experience with real recruitment processes. The template helps employers provide candidates with clear information while supporting a professional, consistent and accessible recruitment experience.

Why use HRDocBox rather than asking AI to create the letter?

AI can produce a polite interview invitation, but recruitment communications need to sit within a fair and consistent selection process. HRDocBox combines UK employment-law knowledge, recruitment best practice and practical HR experience rather than relying on generic wording.

How much detail should an interview invitation contain?

It should contain enough information for the candidate to attend confidently and understand what to expect without overwhelming them. The key practical arrangements, interview format, preparation requirements and adjustment contact should be clear.

Can the same interview invitation be used for every candidate?

Yes, a standard template can help ensure consistency, but the individual details should be personalised. The interview arrangements, preparation requirements and any reasonable adjustments should reflect the particular candidate and selection process.

About the author

Darryl Horn, Chartered HR Director

Darryl is a Chartered HR professional with over 25 years' experience in senior HR and employee relations roles.

He has extensive practical experience of managing job interview processes and founded hrdocbox to provide businesses with practical, professionally developed HR resources grounded in UK employment law and best practice.

HRDocBox has been creating practical UK HR documents since 2009.

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"Darryl provides support and advice with excellent judgement, and has a strong understanding of people, policies and UK employment legislation."

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