12 Korean Sentences for Calls from the 고용센터 or a Company: Say These First, Don't Hang Up Before You Understand

When does this apply to you

• When you have registered as a job seeker and are waiting for a referral call from the 고용센터
• When the boss of a company you were referred to calls to set an interview date
• When the 고용센터 asks you to bring more documents
• When you have a missed call from an unknown number like 02, 031 or 053 (Missed calls from unknown numbers)

12 sentences

#	Situation	Korean	Pronunciation	Meaning
1	As soon as you answer	네, ○○입니다.	ne, ○○ imnida	Yes, this is ○○ (your name)
2	Who is calling	어디에서 전화하셨어요?	eodi-eseo jeonhwa-hasyeosseoyo?	Where are you calling from?
3	When you can't understand	한국어를 잘 못해요. 천천히 말해 주세요.	hangugeoreul jal mot-haeyo. cheoncheonhi malhae juseyo	My Korean is not good. Please speak slowly
4	Again	다시 한 번 말해 주세요.	dasi han beon malhae juseyo	Please say it one more time
5	By text	문자로 보내 주세요.	munja-ro bonae juseyo	Please send it by text message
6	Interpreter	통역이 필요해요. 1577-0071로 같이 전화해도 돼요?	tongyeogi piryohaeyo. il-o-chil-chil gong-gong-chil-il-ro gachi jeonhwa-haedo dwaeyo?	I need an interpreter. Can we do a three-way call with 1577-0071?
7	Job Center or not	고용센터예요? 회사예요?	goyong-senteo-yeyo? hoesa-yeyo?	Is this the Job Center, or a company?
8	Date	언제예요? 몇 월 며칠, 몇 시예요?	eonje-yeyo? myeot wol myeochil, myeot si-yeyo?	When is it? What date and what time?
9	Place	어디로 가요? 주소 문자로 보내 주세요.	eodiro gayo? juso munja-ro bonae juseyo	Where do I go? Please send the address by text
10	Check	11월 5일 오전 10시, 맞아요?	sibil-wol o-il ojeon yeol-si, majayo?	November 5, 10 a.m., is that right?
11	At work	지금 일하고 있어요. 6시 이후에 다시 전화해 주세요.	jigeum ilhago isseoyo. yeoseot-si ihu-e dasi jeonhwa-hae juseyo	I am working now. Please call again after 6 o'clock
12	End	네, 알겠습니다. 감사합니다.	ne, algesseumnida. gamsahamnida	Yes, I understand. Thank you

You must know numbers for dates and times. 1 일(il) 2 이(i) 3 삼(sam) 4 사(sa) 5 오(o) 6 육(yuk) 7 칠(chil) 8 팔(pal) 9 구(gu) 10 십(sip) 11 십일(sibil) 12 십이(sibi) / 월(wol)=month, 일(il)=day, 시(si)=hour (o'clock). Hours are counted like this: "한 시(han si), 두 시(du si), 세 시(se si), 네 시(ne si), 다섯 시(daseot si), 여섯 시(yeoseot si), 열 시(yeol si)."

Steps: what to do when a call comes

1. Answer. Sentence 1. While you are looking for a job, answer unknown numbers too.
2. Ask who it is. Sentences 2 and 7. If you hear "고용센터" or a company name, write it down.
3. If you can't understand, use 3, 4 and 5. If the caller is busy, ask them to send a text message. Most people will send one.
4. If an interview or visit date comes up, use 8, 9 and 10. Like sentence 10, say the date back yourself to check it. If it is wrong, the caller will correct it.
5. If you really need an interpreter, use sentence 6. If the caller says no, change to "문자로 보내 주세요" (please send it by text). After you hang up, call 1577-0071 and check what the text message says.
6. End with sentence 12. Save the text message and your notes together with the name of the person in charge at the 고용센터.

What to prepare

• Save this table in your phone's notes (take a screenshot)
• A photo of your 구직등록필증 (job seeker registration certificate) (to check when your job search period ends — How to read the job seeker registration certificate)
• A note with your name, 외국인등록번호 (foreign resident registration number) and address written in Korean

Be careful

• Not answering is the worst thing. If you miss a call, always call back. You can also ask 1577-0071 to "check if this number is the 고용센터."
• When you refuse a referral, give the reason. If you have a reason, like distance, type of work or housing, explain it to the 고용센터. If you just don't go without saying anything, it may be recorded as a refusal. See 고용센터 referrals: how to choose a company and what happens if you refuse.
• Don't say "네" (yes) for everything. If you say "네" when you did not understand, it means you agreed. If you don't understand, use sentence 4 (please say it again).
• Don't agree to a contract on the phone. Check the monthly pay and working hours in the 근로계약서 (employment contract). How to check your employment contract.
• A call asking for money is not from the 고용센터. The 고용센터 and companies do not charge a referral fee. Voice phishing and scams.

Frequently asked questions

Q. I got a text message, but I can't read it because it is in Korean. A. Use camera translation (Papago or Google Translate) to read it. You only need to check the date, place and person's name. If you are not sure, explain the text message to 1577-0071, or send a photo through the Mitra question form.

Q. The company boss told me on the phone, "Come and start work tomorrow." A. An interview and starting work are different. You must not work before the 고용센터 referral process (employment permit and employment contract) is finished. Say "고용센터에 확인하고 연락드릴게요 (goyong-senteo-e hwaginhago yeollak-deurilgeyo)" (I will check with the Job Center and contact you), then ask the 고용센터.

Q. I was at work and couldn't answer the phone. Will this cause a problem for me? A. Just call back. If you tell them a time you are free, like sentence 11, they will call you again at that time. The only problem is if you keep not answering.

Where to get help

Organization	Phone	What they help with
외국인력상담센터 (Foreign Worker Counseling Center)	1577-0071	Check calls and text messages you received, three-way calls, Nepali
고용노동부 (Ministry of Employment and Labor) Customer Center	1350	Referral and job search process (in Korean)
Mitra question form	/ne/ask	Send a photo of a text message and ask what it means
AI calls for you	받아요 (Badayo)	AI calls the company for you to confirm the interview time