What to Say When You Call the Store After Applying (With a Phone Script)
Many arubaito are won or lost on the phone call. Here is a polite Japanese phone script for calling a store after applying — what to say, when to call, and how to handle keigo if you are nervous.
For many part-time jobs, the first real test is a phone call — either you call to apply, or you follow up after sending a resume. A short, polite call in keigo makes a strong first impression. Prepare it once and you can reuse it for every store.
Before you call
- Call during off-peak hours — for food/retail, mid-afternoon (14:00–17:00) is safest.
- Be somewhere quiet with good signal. Have a pen, your schedule, and the job ad ready.
- Know the job title and where you saw it (Townwork, Indeed, a poster, etc.).
The script
When someone answers, give your name and reason for calling:
- 「お忙しいところ失礼いたします。アルバイトの募集を拝見してお電話いたしました、〇〇と申します。 採用ご担当の方はいらっしゃいますか。」
- (“Sorry to bother you. My name is ___ and I'm calling about your part-time job posting. May I speak to the person in charge of hiring?”)
When connected to the right person, state your request clearly:
- 「〇〇の求人を拝見しました。ぜひ応募させていただきたいのですが、まだ募集はされていますでしょうか。」
- (“I saw your posting for ___. I'd like to apply — is the position still open?”)
If they invite you to interview, confirm the details and repeat them back:
- 「かしこまりました。〇月〇日〇時に、履歴書を持って伺います。よろしくお願いいたします。」
- (“Understood. I'll come on [date] at [time] with my resume. Thank you very much.”)
If you are nervous about keigo
You do not need perfect Japanese — politeness and clarity matter more than fluency. Three phrases carry most calls: 失礼いたします (excuse me), お願いいたします (please / thank you), and かしこまりました (understood). Write your script on paper and read it the first few times; it is completely normal.
If they are busy or you reach voicemail
If the person who answers says the manager is out, do not push — ask when to call back: 「採用ご担当者さまは何時頃お戻りでしょうか。改めてお電話いたします。」 (“Around what time will the person in charge be back? I'll call again.”) Then call at that time. If you get a recorded message, it is usually better to hang up and try again later than to leave a long voicemail in nervous Japanese — but if you do leave one, keep it to your name, the job, and that you will call back.
If the position is already filled
Stay gracious — Japan's part-time world is small and managers remember politeness: 「承知いたしました。ご丁寧にありがとうございます。また機会がありましたらよろしくお願いいたします。」 (“Understood. Thank you for your time. I hope we might have the chance another time.”) A good impression on a “no” call sometimes turns into a callback weeks later when someone quits.
Mini phrase glossary
- お世話になっております — standard polite opener once you are in contact.
- 採用ご担当者さま — the person in charge of hiring.
- 募集はまだされていますか — “Are you still hiring?”
- 履歴書を持参いたします — “I will bring my resume.”
- 何卒よろしくお願いいたします — a warm, formal closing.
After the call
- Note the date, time, and interviewer's name immediately.
- Prepare your rirekisho and print it before the interview.
- Arrive 5–10 minutes early with the resume in a clear file inside a white envelope.
Need the resume itself? Build a part-time one in minutes on the arubaito resume page, then open the editor to fill it in.