Preparing for a phone interview in a different language requires specific vocabulary and cultural understanding. This guide provides essential Korean phrases and tips for successfully navigating a 전화 인터뷰 (jeon-hwa in-teo-byu), or phone interview, from initial preparation to follow-up communication. Mastering these expressions will help you make a strong impression on potential Korean employers.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 전화 인터뷰 준비하기
Pronunciation: jeon-hwa in-teo-byu jun-bi-ha-gi
Meaning: Preparing for a phone interview
Preparation Phrases
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Expression: 회사에 대해 조사했어요.
Pronunciation: hoe-sa-e dae-hae jo-sa-hae-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I researched the company. -
Expression: 예상 질문 목록을 만들었어요.
Pronunciation: ye-sang jil-mun mong-ro-geul man-deu-reo-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I made a list of anticipated questions. -
Expression: 답변을 미리 준비했어요.
Pronunciation: dap-byeo-neul mi-ri jun-bi-hae-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I prepared my answers in advance. -
Expression: 조용한 장소를 찾을 거예요.
Pronunciation: jo-yong-han jang-so-reul cha-jeul geo-ye-yo.
Meaning: I will find a quiet place. -
Expression: 휴대폰 배터리를 확인했어요.
Pronunciation: hyu-dae-pon bae-teo-ri-reul hwa-gin-hae-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I checked my phone battery. -
Expression: 수신 상태를 확인할게요.
Pronunciation: su-sin sang-tae-reul hwa-gi-nal-ge-yo.
Meaning: I will check the reception status. -
Expression: 이력서를 옆에 둘게요.
Pronunciation: i-ryeok-seo-reul yeo-pe dul-ge-yo.
Meaning: I will keep my resume next to me. -
Expression: 메모할 펜과 종이를 준비했어요.
Pronunciation: me-mo-hal pen-gwa jong-i-reul jun-bi-hae-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I prepared a pen and paper for notes. -
Expression: 면접관에게 할 질문을 생각했어요.
Pronunciation: myeon-jeop-gwan-e-ge hal jil-mu-neul saeng-ga-kae-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I thought about questions to ask the interviewer. -
Expression: 인터뷰 시간을 다시 확인했어요.
Pronunciation: in-teo-byu si-ga-neul da-si hwa-gin-hae-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I double-checked the interview time. -
Expression: 복장은 어떻게 해야 할까요?
Pronunciation: bok-jang-eun eo-tteo-ke hae-ya hal-kka-yo?
Meaning: How should I dress? (Even for a phone interview, dressing professionally can help mindset). -
Expression: 물 한 잔을 준비해 둘게요.
Pronunciation: mul han ja-neul jun-bi-hae dul-ge-yo.
Meaning: I’ll prepare a glass of water.
During the Interview
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Expression: 여보세요, [본인 이름]입니다.
Pronunciation: yeo-bo-se-yo, [bo-nin i-reum]-im-ni-da.
Meaning: Hello, this is [Your Name]. -
Expression: 네, 전화 기다리고 있었습니다.
Pronunciation: ne, jeon-hwa gi-da-ri-go i-sseot-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Yes, I was expecting your call. -
Expression: 인터뷰 기회를 주셔서 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: in-teo-byu gi-hoe-reul ju-syeo-seo gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Thank you for giving me the opportunity to interview. -
Expression: 잘 들립니다.
Pronunciation: jal deul-lim-ni-da.
Meaning: I can hear you well. -
Expression: 죄송하지만, 잘 안 들립니다.
Pronunciation: joe-song-ha-ji-man, jal an deul-lim-ni-da.
Meaning: I’m sorry, but I can’t hear you well. -
Expression: 다시 한번 말씀해 주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: da-si han-beon mal-sseum-hae ju-si-ge-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Could you please say that again? -
Expression: 질문을 다시 설명해 주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: jil-mu-neul da-si seol-myeong-hae ju-sil su in-na-yo?
Meaning: Could you explain the question again? -
Expression: 잠시 생각할 시간을 주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: jam-si saeng-ga-kal si-ga-neul ju-si-ge-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Could you give me a moment to think? -
Expression: 그 질문에 대해 답변드리겠습니다.
Pronunciation: geu jil-mu-ne dae-hae dap-byeon-deu-ri-ge-sseum-ni-da.
Meaning: I will answer that question. -
Expression: 제 경험에 대해 말씀드리자면…
Pronunciation: je gyeong-heo-me dae-hae mal-sseum-deu-ri-ja-myeon…
Meaning: Regarding my experience… -
Expression: 혹시 질문 있으신가요?
Pronunciation: hok-si jil-mun i-sseu-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: Do you have any questions (for me)? -
Expression: 네, 질문 있습니다.
Pronunciation: ne, jil-mun it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Yes, I have a question.
Post-Interview Phrases
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Expression: 오늘 시간 내주셔서 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: o-neul si-gan nae-ju-syeo-seo gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Thank you for your time today. -
Expression: 인터뷰 즐거웠습니다.
Pronunciation: in-teo-byu jeul-geo-wot-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I enjoyed the interview. -
Expression: 결과는 언제쯤 알 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: gyeol-gwa-neun eon-je-jjeum al su i-sseul-kka-yo?
Meaning: About when can I expect to know the results? -
Expression: 다음 절차는 어떻게 되나요?
Pronunciation: da-eum jeol-cha-neun eo-tteo-ke doe-na-yo?
Meaning: What are the next steps? -
Expression: 좋은 결과 기다리겠습니다.
Pronunciation: jo-eun gyeol-gwa gi-da-ri-ge-sseum-ni-da.
Meaning: I will wait for good results. / I look forward to hearing positively from you. -
Expression: 연락 기다리겠습니다.
Pronunciation: yeol-lak gi-da-ri-ge-sseum-ni-da.
Meaning: I will wait for your contact. -
Expression: 감사 이메일을 보내도 될까요?
Pronunciation: gam-sa i-me-i-reul bo-nae-do doel-kka-yo?
Meaning: May I send a thank-you email? -
Expression: 궁금한 점이 있으면 다시 연락드려도 될까요?
Pronunciation: gung-geum-han jeo-mi i-sseu-myeon da-si yeol-lak-deu-ryeo-do doel-kka-yo?
Meaning: If I have any questions, may I contact you again? -
Expression: 안녕히 계세요.
Pronunciation: an-nyeong-hi gye-se-yo.
Meaning: Goodbye (formal, to someone staying). -
Expression: 추가 서류가 필요하면 알려주세요.
Pronunciation: chu-ga seo-ryu-ga pi-ryo-ha-myeon al-lyeo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please let me know if additional documents are needed. -
Expression: 이 직무에 대해 더 배우게 되어 기쁩니다.
Pronunciation: i jing-mu-e dae-hae deo bae-u-ge doe-eo gi-ppeum-ni-da.
Meaning: I am happy to learn more about this position. -
Expression: 긍정적으로 검토해 주시면 감사하겠습니다.
Pronunciation: geung-jeong-jeo-geu-ro geom-to-hae ju-si-myeon gam-sa-ha-ge-sseum-ni-da.
Meaning: I would appreciate it if you would consider me positively.
Korean Culture Notes
Formality is Key: Always use formal Korean (존댓말 – jon-daen-mal) during interviews. Address the interviewer using their title (e.g., 면접관님 – myeon-jeop-gwan-nim) if known, or use polite sentence endings like -습니다 (-seum-ni-da) or -아요/어요 (-a-yo/-eo-yo).
Punctuality: Be ready several minutes before the scheduled interview time. Answering the phone promptly shows respect for the interviewer’s time.
Clear and Calm Speech: Speak clearly and at a moderate pace. Avoid using slang or overly casual language. If you need a moment to think, it’s better to ask politely than to rush an answer.
Active Listening: Show you are engaged by using listening cues like “네” (ne – yes) appropriately. If the connection is bad, politely state it immediately rather than guessing what was said.
Expressing Gratitude: Thanking the interviewer at the beginning and end of the call is standard etiquette and shows professionalism.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: An applicant (B) receives a call from the interviewer (A) to start the scheduled phone interview.
Roles:
* A: Interviewer (면접관 – Myeon-jeop-gwan)
* B: Applicant (지원자 – Ji-won-ja)
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Expression: A: 여보세요, [지원자 이름] 씨 되십니까? 저는 [회사 이름]의 [면접관 이름]입니다. 지금 전화 인터뷰 괜찮으신가요?
Pronunciation: yeo-bo-se-yo, [ji-won-ja i-reum] ssi doe-sim-ni-kka? jeo-neun [hoe-sa i-reum]-ui [myeon-jeop-gwan i-reum]-im-ni-da. ji-geum jeon-hwa in-teo-byu gwaen-cha-neu-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: A: Hello, is this Mr./Ms. [Applicant Name]? This is [Interviewer Name] from [Company Name]. Is now a good time for the phone interview? -
Expression: B: 네, 안녕하세요, [면접관 이름]님. [지원자 이름]입니다. 네, 괜찮습니다. 전화 기다리고 있었습니다.
Pronunciation: ne, an-nyeong-ha-se-yo, [myeon-jeop-gwan i-reum]-nim. [ji-won-ja i-reum]-im-ni-da. ne, gwaen-chan-seum-ni-da. jeon-hwa gi-da-ri-go i-sseot-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: B: Yes, hello, Mr./Ms. [Interviewer Name]. This is [Applicant Name]. Yes, it’s fine. I was expecting your call. -
Expression: A: 네, 반갑습니다. 그럼 인터뷰를 시작하겠습니다. 먼저 간단하게 자기소개 부탁드립니다.
Pronunciation: ne, ban-gap-seum-ni-da. geu-reom in-teo-byu-reul si-ja-ka-ge-sseum-ni-da. meon-jeo gan-dan-ha-ge ja-gi-so-gae bu-tak-deu-rim-ni-da.
Meaning: A: Yes, nice to meet you. Then let’s begin the interview. First, please briefly introduce yourself. -
Expression: B: 네, 알겠습니다. 인터뷰 기회를 주셔서 감사합니다. 저는…
Pronunciation: ne, al-ge-sseum-ni-da. in-teo-byu gi-hoe-reul ju-syeo-seo gam-sa-ham-ni-da. jeo-neun…
Meaning: B: Yes, understood. Thank you for the interview opportunity. I am…
Practice Tips
Preparing for a Korean phone interview takes practice! Try recording yourself answering common interview questions in Korean~ Listen back to check your pronunciation and fluency. Role-playing with a language partner or tutor can also be incredibly helpful!
Focus on mastering the key phrases for starting the call, asking for clarification, and expressing gratitude. Remember to find a quiet space and ensure good phone reception beforehand. Good luck with your 전화 인터뷰 준비 (jeon-hwa in-teo-byu jun-bi)! 화이팅! (hwa-i-ting! – Fighting!/Good luck!)
