Don’t Panic! 😱 How to Call for a Part-time Job in Korean like a Pro

Phase 1: Introduction

Greeting

Hello! I’m your editor at Daily Hangul. 👋

Scenario Setup

You found a perfect part-time job (called “Alba” in Korea) advertisement online. It’s a cafe near your house, and the pay is good. But there’s one problem: the ad says “전화 문의” (Inquire by phone). Your heart starts pounding. What if they speak too fast? What if you freeze after saying “Hello”?

The ‘Why’

Calling is the first test. If you stumble too much here, the employer might think, “Oh, communicating with this person might be difficult during the rush hour.” But if you use these specific set phrases, you will sound prepared, polite, and capable. You immediately pass the “Communication Check.”

Transparency

This guide is based on real questions from our A2 level students who were terrified of making that first call but successfully landed jobs at convenience stores and cafes in Seoul!

Phase 2: Deep Dive into Core Expressions

Here are the 3 sentences you absolutely need to survive the first 30 seconds of the call.

1. 혹시 아르바이트 구하셨나요?

• Pronunciation: [Hok-si A-reu-ba-i-teu Gu-ha-shyeon-na-yo?]
• Sound Analogy: Hok-si sounds like ‘Hawk’ + ‘See’. Gu-ha sounds like ‘Goo’ + ‘Ha’.
• Meaning:
  • Literal: Did you find (someone for) the part-time job?
  • Real Nuance: “Is the job position still open?”
• Editor’s Insight: The magic word here is 혹시 (Hok-si). It literally means “by chance,” but Koreans use it to soften a question. It makes you sound polite and cautious, not demanding. Start with this!
• Situation Check: Formal & Polite (O) / Casual (X)

2. 알바 공고 보고 연락드렸는데요.

• Pronunciation: [Al-ba Gong-go Bo-go Yeol-lak-deu-ryeon-neun-de-yo]
• Sound Analogy: Gong-go (Job Ad) sounds like ‘Gong’ (the instrument) + ‘Go’. Bo-go (Seeing) is ‘Bo’ + ‘Go’.
• Meaning:
  • Literal: I contacted you after seeing the alba notice.
  • Real Nuance: “I’m calling about the job ad I saw.”
• Editor’s Insight: The ending ~는데요 (neundeyo) is crucial. It leaves the sentence slightly “open,” inviting the listener to respond. If you end with a hard period like “연락드렸습니다!” (I contacted you!), it sounds a bit like a soldier reporting to a commander.
• Situation Check: Essential for starting the conversation.

3. 한국어 할 수 있습니다.

• Pronunciation: [Han-gu-geo Hal Su It-seum-ni-da]
• Sound Analogy: Hal Su sounds like ‘Hal’ (as in Hal-le-lu-jah) + ‘Sue’.
• Meaning:
  • Literal: I can do Korean language.
  • Real Nuance: “Don’t worry, I can speak Korean well enough to work here.”
• Editor’s Insight: As a foreigner, this is the Employer’s #1 Worry. Address it immediately. Even if your Korean isn’t perfect, saying this sentence confidently proves you have the guts to try.

Phase 3: Textbook vs. Real Life

Textbooks often teach formal interview language, but for a part-time job (Alba), you need to sound bright and active, not stiff.

Note for A2 Learners: Stick to the “Real Street Korean” column. It sounds much more natural for service jobs like cafes or convenience stores.

Phase 4: Cultural Context & Manners 🙇‍♂️

1. The ‘Avoid’ Hours (Time Strategy)

In Korea, bad timing can ruin your chances even if your Korean is perfect.
* Do NOT call a restaurant between 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM (Lunch Rush) or 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM (Dinner Rush). The owner is busy and stressed.
* Best Time: 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM.

2. The ‘Sol’ Tone

Koreans tend to raise their voice pitch when being polite on the phone. Think of the musical note ‘Sol’ (G). If your voice is too low (Do/Re), you might sound angry or unenthusiastic to a Korean ear. Smile while you talk; it changes your tone!

Phase 5: Roleplay Script 🎬

Setting: Michael calls a cafe owner (Sajangnim) regarding a job ad.

Michael: (Takes a deep breath) 여보세요?
(Yeoboseyo? / Hello?)

Sajangnim: 네, 데일리 카페입니다.
(Ne, Daily Cafe-imnida. / Yes, this is Daily Cafe.)

Michael: 안녕하세요! 혹시 아르바이트 구하셨나요?
(Annyeonghaseyo! Hoksi areubaiteu guhasyeonnayo? / Hello! By chance, did you fill the part-time position?)

Sajangnim: 아, 아니요. 아직 구하고 있어요.
(Ah, aniyo. Ajik guhago isseoyo. / Ah, no. We are still looking.)

Michael: 다행이네요. 공고 보고 연락드렸는데요. 저 외국인인데 한국어 할 수 있어요.
(Dahaengineyo. Gonggo bogo yeollak-deuryeonneundeyo. Jeo oegugininde hangugeo hal su isseoyo. / That’s a relief. I’m calling after seeing the ad. I am a foreigner, but I can speak Korean.)

Sajangnim: 그래요? 그럼 내일 오후 2시에 면접 보러 오세요.
(Geuraeyo? Geureom naeil ohu 2-si-e myeonjeop boreo oseyo. / Really? Then come for an interview tomorrow at 2 PM.)

Phase 6: 10-Second Shadowing 🗣️

Read this out loud for 10 seconds. Focus on the pause at the slash /.

“안녕하세요, / 공고 보고 연락드렸는데요 / 아직 사람 구하시나요?”

• Intonation Tip: Raise your intonation slightly at “세요” (Hello) and “나요” (Question).

Phase 7: FAQ & Troubleshooting

Q: Can I just send a text message (SMS/KakaoTalk) instead of calling?
A: Check the ad carefully! If it says “문자 지원 가능” (Text Application Available), yes. But if it only lists a phone number, calling is better. It shows you are confident and eager. Calling puts you ahead of the people who were too scared to dial.

Q: What if they ask “Where are you from?”
A: Simply say: “[Country]에서 왔어요.” (I came from [Country]). e.g., “미국에서 왔어요.”

Phase 8: Wrap-up

One-Liner Summary

Start with “Hok-si” (By chance), clearly state you saw the “Gong-go” (Ad), and confirm you can speak Korean!

Action Mission

Before you actually call a shop, open your voice recorder app. Record yourself saying “혹시 아르바이트 구하셨나요?” Listen to it. Do you sound polite? Is your voice bright (Sol tone)? Try it 3 times until you sound like a local!

Have you ever made a phone call in Korean? How did it go? Tell us in the comments! 👇

Phase 9: Quiz 📝

1. Which word makes your question sound softer and more polite?
a) 야 (Ya)
b) 혹시 (Hok-si)
c) 빨리 (Ppal-li)

2. Why should you avoid calling a restaurant at 12:30 PM?
a) The owner is sleeping.
b) It is the lunch rush hour.
c) Phones don’t work at that time.

3. Which phrase is best to ask if the job is still available?
a) 너 일자리 있니? (Do you have a job?)
b) 아직 사람 구하시나요? (Are you still looking for a person?)
c) 나 돈 필요해요. (I need money.)