Starting a search for a work-study program or internship is often synonymous with desire, but also with questions. How do you stand out among the multitude of applications? How do you leverage your experience, often limited for a young person in training, to attract a recruiter? Success isn’t just about writing a resume, but also optimizing your application to quickly capture attention and showcase your potential. This may seem like a real challenge, but with a few tips and a good understanding of expectations, it’s entirely achievable. Today, platforms like Pôle Emploi, Monster, Indeed, and Jobteaser are overflowing with offers, but that doesn’t guarantee you’ll land an interview without a tailored, polished, and targeted resume.
In 2025, recruiters will remain very attentive to the clarity of a resume, its ability to reflect a specific project, and its personalization with respect to the target sector. Whether you’re looking for a work-study position in communications, finance, the digital sector, or the environment, a few simple rules can increase your chances. For example, highlight extracurricular experiences, specific skills (languages, IT, specific software), or additional qualifications such as the BAFA (Bachelors’ Certificate of Advanced Study). Finally, the choice of format, the care taken with the photo, and the structure of the document often set the tone for the application. With the rise of professional networks such as LinkedIn and specialized spaces like Cadremploi or Welcome to the Jungle, it’s becoming easier to gain visibility, provided you have a well-optimized resume to attract these profiles.
Essential elements for creating an effective resume for a work-study position or internship
Ah, the key question: what should you absolutely include on a resume for a work-study or internship? First, let’s be clear: a recruiter spends an average of 30 seconds on a resume. Therefore, the essential information must be immediately apparent. The essential information is well known, but it still needs to be organized in an attractive way.
- 🎯 Identity and contact information : first and last name, phone number, email, and LinkedIn if possible to support the profile.
- 🎯 Hook or objective : a short sentence outlining your career goals, for example, “International Business BTS student seeking a work-study program to develop your negotiation skills.”
- 🎯 Education : degrees obtained and currently enrolled, names of institutions and dates, possibly including any honors or distinctions.
- 🎯 Professional experience : internships, summer jobs, volunteer work, rewarding extracurricular activities. The key is to mention the assignments completed and the skills acquired.
- 🎯 Skills : language (specific level), computer skills (software proficiency), certifications like TOEFL, CACES, or BAFA, highly valued.
- 🎯 Hobbies : This section is often overlooked but provides insight into personality and personal commitment.
Students are often tempted to overload their resumes. This is a mistake! A student resume should be concise (no more than one page), clear, and to the point. Recruiters also view resumes on their phones via apps like Monster or Indeed, so the layout should be simple and readable. The more structured the information, the more likely it will be remembered. Key Resume Elements 📋
| Must-include ✔️ | Points to Avoid ❌ | Photo |
|---|---|---|
| Professional photo, neutral background | Selfies, blurry photos, parties | Experience |
| Clear description of duties | Vague or missing descriptions | Education |
| Degrees, locations, dates | Incomplete information or date errors | Skills |
| Specific levels (e.g., B2 in English) | Vague skills (e.g., “computer science”) | Presentation |
| Modern, clear format | Dense text, fonts too small | Presentation and layout: how to better capture the recruiter’s attention |
It can’t be stressed enough: the format is often the key factor. It’s what will determine whether the recruiter will linger or move on to the next resume. The visual aspect and layout must be adapted to the industry. For example, an artistic field like communications or design welcomes originality, even graphic creativity, on a resume. There’s nothing wrong with creating a video format or an online portfolio, which are very popular on LinkedIn and Welcome to the Jungle. However, for finance, management, or human resources, it’s better to opt for a classic, simple, and effective format, where reading becomes natural. Here are some practical tips for an optimal presentation:
✨
Adopt a clear structure:
- headings, clearly distinguished sections, and space out your content with sufficient line spacing. ✨ Limit fonts to one or two,
- avoiding overly fanciful styles. ✨Be consistent in your use of colors:
- a few discreet touches can help structure, but avoid rainbows. ✨ Use bullet points to present your experience and skills; it’s easier to read.
- ✨ Prefer PDF format to avoid layout shifts when sending. For example, a resume geared toward a work-study BTS in international trade can discreetly incorporate icons symbolizing language proficiency or tools like Excel or SAP. This subtle highlighting catches the recruiter’s eye and demonstrates attention to detail. Industry Type 🎯
- Recommended Resume Format 📄 Specific Advice 💡 Communication / Design
Original, creative, sometimes video
| Online Portfolio + LinkedIn | Finance / Management | Classic, clear, understated |
|---|---|---|
| Prioritize qualifications and experience | Industry / Logistics | Simple, functional |
| Mention professional certifications | IT / Digital | Modern, technical |
| Mention software and projects | Discover how to optimize your resume to capture recruiters’ attention. Get practical advice, formatting tips, and strategies to highlight your skills and experience to maximize your chances of landing your dream interview. | The importance of a suitable photo and impeccable spelling |
| On a resume, a photo is a form of initial visual contact. It allows the recruiter to put a face to a name. Although not mandatory, it is strongly recommended, especially when looking for a work-study program or internship, where personality counts as much as skills. | But be careful, not just any photo! The photo must reflect your seriousness and professionalism: | 📸 Recent photo with a neutral background. 📸 Appropriate attire appropriate to the industry. |
Absolutely avoid:
🚫 Selfies or photos taken at informal events.
🚫 Blurry or poorly framed photos.
- 🚫 Images with overly colorful or patterned backgrounds.
- As for spelling, it’s a real selection criterion.
- A spelling, grammar, or punctuation mistake can eliminate a candidate, especially when there are many work-study BTS offers and the competition is fierce. To ensure your resume is flawless, it is recommended:
✔️ Have your resume proofread by several people (teachers, parents, and sharp-eyed friends).
- ✔️ Use reliable online tools like
- Scribens
- ,
Reverso, or
- Correctiononline
- . ✔️ Double-check everything before sending, giving yourself some perspective. Proofreading Tool ✍️Key Feature 🔑 Benefits ⭐ Scribens Grammar and spelling correctionEasy to use, free
- Reverso
| Detects style and contextual errors | Intuitive interface, varied suggestions | Correction online |
|---|---|---|
| In-depth analysis and advice | Free version with limitations | Highlighting even limited experience |
| For many BTS students in work-study programs, the major problem is the lack of professional experience. So, how can you make your resume attractive when you have few or no internships? It’s possible, and even advisable, to highlight other experiences. But be careful, not by quickly listing anything! The following activities must be structured and detailed: | 🎓 Student or summer jobs, even outside the targeted field. | 🤝 Community involvement, volunteer work, or community projects. |
| 👶Babysitting or childcare, which demonstrates responsibility. 🧰 Academic or personal projects related to the program. | 🏆 Competitions or challenges completed within the school framework. | The important thing is to always mention the assignments, the learning, and the positive results or feedback. For example, a summer job in sales can demonstrate interpersonal and organizational skills, which are highly valued in BTS Commerce or Management programs. Involvement in a nonprofit organization provides insight into motivation and autonomy. Type of experience 📅 |
Skills developed 💼
Relevance to the recruiter 🧐
- Summer job in a boutique
- Customer relations, inventory management
- Understanding of retail, rigor
- Volunteering in an association
- Teamwork, event planning
Adaptability, commitment
| Supervised school project | Project management, communication | Autonomy, initiative |
|---|---|---|
| Babysitting | Responsibility, organization | Reliability, autonomy |
| https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWUe_z8ot7U | How to clearly express your expectations in your work-study resume | A point too often overlooked when creating a CV: clearly expressing what you’re looking for. This avoids misunderstandings between the intern and the company. The CV must explicitly state that you’re looking for a work-study position—an apprenticeship or professionalization contract—and not a traditional internship. This is important because recruiters often select based on this criterion. |
| Here are some tips for clearly communicating your expectations: | 🎯 Include a clear hook at the beginning of your CV describing your career plan and the type of contract you’re seeking. | 🎯 If possible, specify the specific knowledge or skills you’re looking to develop. |
| 🎯 Mention the specific period and length of the desired work-study placement. | 🎯 Include your medium-term goals to guide the recruiter as to your motivation. | This demonstrates organization and maturity, and also allows the employer to better understand what you expect from them. For example: “I would like to join a dynamic company in the tourism sector for a work-study BTS in Tourism to develop my sales and interpersonal skills.” |
Clear example for CV 📝
Type of contract sought
Work-study apprenticeship contract
- Duration of training
- 2 years starting in September 2025
- Professional objectives
- Develop digital marketing skills
Motivation
| Join an innovative and dynamic team | Highlight your technical and linguistic skills |
|---|---|
| For an effective CV, the recruiter must quickly understand your strengths. Technical and linguistic skills are among the most important, especially for BTS programs where specific requirements may be required, such as proficiency in software or a foreign language. | It is recommended to: |
| 💻 Clearly list the software, digital tools, or platforms you master (e.g., Excel, SAP, Adobe Suite, CRM). | 🗣️ List the languages you speak and the exact level (e.g., English B2, Spanish A2). |
| 📜 Mention any certifications you have obtained: TOEFL, TOEIC, BAFA, CACES, etc. | 🛠️ If you are pursuing additional training, even if it hasn’t yet been validated, please indicate this. |
| With platforms like Studyrama, L’Étudiant, or Apec highlighting evolving market needs, it has become essential to adapt your resume to reflect your mastery of these skills. For example, for a BTS in IT, mentioning a website development project or knowledge of programming languages is a real plus. Technical Skills 🖥️ | Example of Specific Details 📄 |
Why It’s an Asset 💡
Office Software
Microsoft Office, Advanced Excel
- Increased Productivity, Organization
- Foreign Languages
- English B2, German A2
- International Outlook, Facilitated Communication
Certifications
| TOEIC score 850, BAFA | Concrete Proof of Validated Skills | IT / Development |
|---|---|---|
| HTML/CSS, E-commerce Website Project | Autonomy, Digital Adaptation | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBpl8q0hlXQ |
| A Dense and Relevant Hobbies Section to Stand Out | Often underestimated, the hobbies section can be a powerful tool for adding life to a work-study or internship resume. Avoiding the basics (“sports, reading, cinema”) can make all the difference. This section helps build rapport, demonstrate a balanced profile, and sometimes demonstrate transferable skills. So, how can you take advantage of it? ⚽ Mention the duration and intensity of the sporting or cultural activity. | 🌍 Talk about experiences like travel and what they have taught you in terms of your worldview. |
| 🎨 Specify specific passions, such as an interest in a particular artistic movement or filmmaker, to avoid being vague. | 🤝 Include involvement in clubs, associations, or collective projects. | A recruiter will appreciate seeing a passionate and involved student, as this often reflects good time management skills, motivation, and initiative. This can make all the difference when two profiles have similar educational backgrounds. |
| Chosen Hobbies 🎯 | How to detail them 💬 | Added Value for the recruiter 🔍 |
Played in a club for 10 years, team captain
Team spirit, leadership
- Travel
- Discovery of 5 countries, cultural openness
- Adaptability, curiosity
- Painting
Amateur practice, impressionist style
| Creativity, patience | Volunteering | Organizing charity events |
|---|---|---|
| Commitment, reliability | Where to find offers and how to use your CV effectively in 2025? | Once your CV is ready, you need to know where and how to distribute it to maximize your chances. Today, specialized platforms remain the essential foundation, but each site has its own specific features and advantages for a junior profile. Pôle Emploi, Monster, Indeed, as well as more targeted sites like Jobteaser or Welcome to the Jungle are among the essentials. |
| Tips for effective targeting: | 🌐 Create complete profiles on these platforms, with your up-to-date CV and a tailored cover letter. | 🌐 Follow companies recruiting in your sector. |
| 🌐 Also use LinkedIn: it’s not just for executives. Apply, but also interact, comment, and share to give your profile visibility. | 🌐 Look for offers on specialized sites like | this guide for BTS in International Business |
| if this is your field. | 🌐 Stay informed about up-to-date information, such as | strategies for succeeding in your BTS. Platform 🔎 |
Job Type 📝
Key Benefit 🏅
Pôle Emploi
- Various Sectors
- Large Volume of Jobs and Support
- Monster
- Qualified Jobs and Career Advice Widely used platform by recruiters Indeed
- Large database, customizable alerts Free, easy to useJobteaser
| Internships and work-study programs for students | School and business partnerships | Welcome to the Jungle |
|---|---|---|
| Innovative offers and showcased corporate culture | Excellent company presentations | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-T4rks6jUI |
| FAQ on optimizing your resume for work-study programs and internships | Can you apply without professional experience? | Yes, you just need to highlight other experiences such as volunteering, school projects, or summer jobs to demonstrate your dynamism and skills. |
| What resume format should you choose in 2025? | PDF remains the most reliable. For certain creative sectors, a video resume or online portfolio can also make a difference. | Is it mandatory to include a photo? This isn’t mandatory, but it’s highly recommended for an internship or work-study program to establish eye contact if the photo is professional. |
| How do you avoid mistakes on your CV? | Have it proofread several times, use online tools like Scribens, Reverso, Correctiononline, and take a step back before sending it are best practices. | How do you mention your language skills? |
| Clearly indicate the languages spoken and the level according to recognized scales (A1 to C2, TOEFL, TOEIC); this reassures and clarifies your abilities. |