Landing a work-study contract is a source of stress for many students, right from the start of the school year. Finding a suitable placement is not easy, especially with the very limited supply and fierce competition among prospective work-study students. Things become even more difficult with the multitude of rejections and negative responses written in a discouragingly monotonous tone. Here are some tips to help you stand out and secure that coveted work-study contract.

Prerequisites for a work-study contract

A work-study student lives a dual life as a student and employee. This requires a high level of organization, motivation, and autonomy. It's important to know how to distinguish between student life and employee life.

At university, students must be fully committed to their classes, homework, and studies, while in a company, they must fulfill the various tasks and missions they are responsible for. It is therefore important to adopt the right rhythm to find a balance between the two without one encroaching on the other. This is imperative, especially with the sustained pace and the high demands of each status. Before committing to a work-study contract, it is therefore necessary to be able to reconcile the life of a student and that of an employee.

It is essential to know how to adapt to the pace set by the host company as well as that of your university or school. You must be available for projects requiring a high level of availability. Hence the need to inform the structure of the proposed formula in advance or to suggest several options before agreeing on common ground.

It is also important to demonstrate motivation within the company, which helps to better attract the recruiter, who can be flexible if necessary. The work-study student must demonstrate not only their motivation but also their organizational skills, especially since they often have to spend time in the office from class. Performance and results must be there, regardless of the pace. Obviously, the school or university's support for this process is required, particularly by adapting or shaping the student's schedule.

When should you apply and how do you get a work-study position?

A student wishing to secure a work-study should apply as early as possible. Anticipation offers a better chance of joining the host structure of their choice. Applications are generally submitted in January and September. It is therefore recommended to apply several months in advance.

To secure a work-study placement under the best possible conditions, it's important to demonstrate a solid career plan. This helps you better draft your CV and cover letter. These should reflect the student's ambitions, highlighting the most relevant skills and experience.

Next, you need to work on and personalize your applications by focusing on the company's activity and sector, as well as its culture, which demonstrates the candidate's interest in the organization. This involves creating a coherent and precise CV that will enhance the applicant's profile. Therefore, you should not hesitate to highlight community work, sports and other hobbies, or summer jobs as well as acquired skills. Hobbies and extracurricular activities allow you to give a fair and clear assessment of the applicant's personality to the recruiter.

The student must be careful to draw attention to key points in their CV and cover letter. They must highlight their interest in the position, the duration of the work-study program, and their availability. The role of the cover letter is just as important, hence the need to take great care with it.

It's important to keep in mind that for a work-study position, professionalism and motivation count for a lot. This means learning about the organization, its activities, and its values.

Such information is reflected in the cover letter , but will be highly requested at the time of the interview. In order to succeed in the latter, it is advisable to talk about your abilities and skills, in addition to projecting yourself into the structure. You should not hesitate to talk about your ideas and demonstrate your spirit of initiative. It is essential to carefully study and analyze the job description, which allows you to gather information on the structure and the profile sought. This allows you to better approach the job interview. It is also important to demonstrate your autonomy, your sense of responsibility and your maturity to work within a team. Good preparation allows you to better answer the recruiter's questions, in particular the reasons that motivate the intern to join the structure and what the experience will bring to their professional project.

On the other hand, the young person will benefit from interacting with their interviewer by asking relevant questions that demonstrate their interest in the organization and their motivation. It is recommended to prepare a few questions in advance to ask during or at the end of the interview. They may relate to the work environment, the missions or challenges of the position, the objectives to be achieved in the short and medium term, among others. It is also recommended to take notes to be proactive and retain important points that may be a reference, while emphasizing their interest in the position.

For some questions, it's best to leave them out of the first interview and wait to ask them later. These include company benefits like meal vouchers or working hours. Such information can be collected later.