Jobs and internships for pupils and students

Besides enabling you to gain valuable experience and earn some cash, a job can also enhance your CV. There are two main types:

• Holiday jobs under a student work contract, for pupils and students who want to work during school holidays or semester break. For these kinds of jobs, you must be between 15 and 27 years old and enrolled in a Luxembourgish or foreign educational institution. You can have a holiday job for a maximum of two months or 346 hours per year. This working time can be spread across multiple jobs. Holiday jobs are usually full-time, though some employers may also allow you to work part-time. The salary varies depending on age and must not be less than 80% of the social minimum wage for unskilled workers.

• Fixed-term employment contracts relate to jobs that also apply outside school holidays or semester break. For this kind of work, you must be at least 16 years old and enrolled in secondary education, pursuing an advanced technician's certificate (BTS) or enrolled at the University of Luxembourg. You can work an average of 15 hours per week and a maximum of 60 hours per month. The work is part-time, so that it can be combined with school or studies. The salary corresponds to the social minimum wage and varies by age.

Three keys to success

Master these three elements to increase your chances of landing a job or internship:

• Writing a CV that stands out
• Writing a compelling cover letter
• Preparing for an interview

Internships allow you to explore the working world and gain real work experience. Again, there are two types:

• Pupils and students enrolled in an educational institution in Luxembourg or abroad can choose to take a voluntary internship. Voluntary internships are also open to individuals who have a Luxembourgish secondary school diploma or an equivalent qualification, or who have successfully completed a first cycle of university education (e.g. a bachelor's programme). As an intern, you can work for the same company for a maximum of six months within a two-year period. This can be on a full-time or part-time basis, depending on the company and your availability. Unlike jobs, internships shorter than four weeks do not have to be paid. If the internship is longer than four weeks, you will be paid a wage unless the university prohibits compensation.

• Compulsory internships are part of the educational programme of a Luxembourgish or foreign educational institution. They are mandatory and must be completed by the enrolled person. There is no maximum duration for compulsory internships, and they can be either full-time or part-time. As with voluntary internships, interns don't have to be paid if the placement is shorter than four weeks. If the internship is longer than four weeks, the pay constitutes 30% of the social minimum wage for unskilled workers.