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Part-Time Work at a Convenience Store: The Tasks and the Japanese

A konbini is the first part-time job for many international students. There is more to the work than you would think, and the Japanese is very repetitive.

Part-Time Work at a Convenience Store: The Tasks and the Japanese
  • Tasks include running the register, stocking shelves, cleaning, and sometimes handling parcels and hot food.
  • International students can usually work up to about 28 hours a week with permission.
  • A few greeting phrases repeat every day, so memorizing them lets you use them immediately.

What the job involves

A convenience store job is one of the most popular part-time jobs among international students.

The work is not only taking money at the register.

In the morning and at night, lunch boxes and drinks are delivered, and you arrange them on the shelves.

Some stores also prepare hot food such as fried chicken.

You sometimes also help customers send or receive parcels.

Finally, you clean the inside and outside of the store.

Rules for working

International students must obtain permission to work part-time before they start.

The hours you may work are normally up to twenty-eight hours a week.

Hourly pay differs by area and time of day, so ask carefully at the interview.

For the interview, take your résumé and residence card.

At the store, you put on the uniform, attach a name tag, and go out in front of customers.

Night work often pays slightly more per hour, but decide after thinking about your study time.

If you can no longer attend classes, it is not good to keep the part-time job.

Japanese at the register

At the register, you use the same phrases many times every day.

When a customer comes, you say “Irasshaimase.”

When you take money you say “I'll take that”, and when you return the change you say “Here is your change.”

“Do you have a point card?” and “Do you need a bag?” are also phrases you often hear.

For people buying alcohol or cigarettes, you have them press the age-confirmation button.

It is fine to make mistakes at first; when you do not understand, ask a senior colleague.

If the workplace is near your home, you do not have to worry about train times.

Many international students say their Japanese improved while talking with customers.

Words in this article

留学生りゅうがくせい
international student
面接めんせつ
interview
履歴書りれきしょ
résumé
時給じきゅう
hourly wage
制服せいふく
uniform
お客さんおきゃくさん
customer
掃除そうじ
cleaning
先輩せんぱい
senior colleague