To gain professional experience and enhance their resumes, many students seek out work-study contracts. But it's not always easy to find a company to host them, and the many applications they send are often rejected or go unanswered. This can be a source of stress for future work-study students. Therefore, it's important to take advantage of the best tips to stand out and land a work-study contract quickly and efficiently.

A good knowledge of the prerequisites of the work-study program

When we talk about work-study programs, we're talking about a student employee who must skillfully juggle his or her student and professional life. This requires a good dose of organization, motivation, and autonomy. A clear distinction must be made between the academic world and the professional world. At university, you have to dedicate yourself to your studies, and at work, you have to fulfill your tasks and missions like any other employee.

It must be said that work-study isn't an option that suits everyone. Indeed, many students struggle to find the right rhythm and keep up with the sustained pace required by this status. Therefore, before embarking on the search for a contract of this type, you need to know if you're capable of balancing studies and work.

What is the alternation rate?

The student must be able to adapt to the pace of the university and that of the organization. This is not always easy to achieve. In the case where the work-study student is working on a given project, it is recommended to follow a rhythm of three weeks in the organization and one week at the university. Alternatively, it would be possible to devote four days to the company and one day to studies. Indeed, a project requires more time and effort and requires a high level of availability from the student. That said, the organization must agree to the proposed work-study option. But if this is not the case, there are other possibilities for reaching an agreement.

To begin with, the student must demonstrate greater motivation in order to better convince the employer and encourage them to be more flexible. They must be reassured about their ability to manage and organize their tasks and schedule between studies and work. It is important to convince them that their performance will be there and that the objectives set will be achieved within the given deadlines. It would also be wise to discuss with the university the possibility of adapting the timetable and switching courses or being exempted from some modules.

When to apply to increase your chances?

To increase your chances of landing a work-study contract, you should start looking for the position as early as possible. It's a good idea to take advantage of the two biggest hiring waves for work-study students, in January and September. Therefore, you should apply early.

In this regard, some organizations begin sourcing their future work-study students in April, with the aim of joining them in September. For those who miss the right time, they can still take advantage of work-study or internship opportunities offered by more flexible recruiters.

 A careful application for a substantial work-study project

Before applying, you should start by determining your career plan, including the main guidelines. This will help you write a more coherent and robust CV that will support your future career aspirations. Of course, the CV should be accompanied by a cover letter that accurately reflects the applicant's ambitions.

Using relevant keywords and highlighting certain skills and experiences will help in this process. Recruiters will be more interested in a profile that has a specific career plan, supported by a comprehensive and personalized application. It must be said that a standard, more general CV and cover letter do not reflect any trajectory in the candidate's career path. You must carefully select the target company or, at a pinch, a sector of activity, but then you must research the structure and its culture. This approach will appeal to the recruiter.

Writing a powerful and coherent CV

It is important to remember that in the context of a work-study position, the candidate's motivation and professionalism are crucial. This is why great care must be taken in writing your CV, whether it concerns the content, spelling, choice of font or the general presentation of the document.

It's important to highlight your academic background, skills, and professional experience, as well as your extracurricular activities. Hobbies should also be presented with great care, as they can highlight the candidate's competitive spirit, commitment, sense of responsibility, teamwork, and more. It's essential to tailor your resume to the position you're applying for. Don't hesitate to briefly describe each hobby in a compelling way, rather than simply listing them. This is an indicator that can provide insight into the applicant's personality.

It is essential to include a title for your CV with carefully selected keywords specifying the position sought, the duration of the work-study program and the date of availability.

A cover letter is an added value

The cover letter is an important document that complements the CV. It allows the candidate to explain the company's choice, their interests, their desires, and their motivations. Therefore, the letter must be written with particular care in its prose. It can be a decisive factor in the choice of company.

Beware of social networks

To prepare for the job interview, you should start by cleaning up your social media. Some companies may view the candidate's profile on social media sites like LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Therefore, you should check for shared content, images, and videos that may be questionable or overly personal. These elements may be taken into consideration and can enhance or tarnish the candidate's image.

The interview, the moment to convince

On the day of the interview, the applicant must demonstrate their motivation and express their long-term commitment, as well as their willingness to contribute to the development of the organization. This interview is of great importance to the candidate, as it is an opportunity to demonstrate their ability to project themselves into the company and demonstrate their initiative. This step must be well prepared by learning about the company and the position as well. It is important to highlight their qualities of endurance, perseverance, and motivation, especially since the work-study contract is very demanding for the student-employee. It is also necessary to highlight their sense of responsibility, maturity, and autonomy. The applicant must explain why they wish to join the organization and their contribution in the targeted position, as well as their professional project.

You also need to think about formulating the right questions. An interview isn't a one-way street, so it's important to show a healthy curiosity about the organization, its culture, the work environment, the short- and medium-term goals, etc. But be careful not to ask the interviewer questions about the benefits offered by the organization or personal questions. It's advisable to take notes during the interview, which demonstrates the candidate's interest in the organization and the job. In other words, you need to be proactive and demonstrate that you're ready to supplement your learning with a rewarding professional experience.