Better understand your contract
You asked for it, and the Romans created it: the contract. The descendants of Romulus and Remus may not have been the strictest about working conditions (you could ask Dan Snow about that), but what's certain is that these days, we need to have our documents in order.
12 May 2023 · 1 min read
Our professional lives are littered with all manner of contracts: internship and apprenticeship agreements, self-employment contracts, fixed-term contracts and employment contracts, and so on, and so forth. And if at first glance it looks like gibberish, it's important to choose your contract carefully, so that it suits your lifestyle and your aspirations. To help you find the best compromise, we'll explain everything here. Even the fine print that nobody reads.
Before finishing your studies, get your foot in the door
Above all, internships and apprenticeships are opportunities. You can learn from those with more experience and put into practice what may have seemed very vague and theoretical during your studies. But work experience doesn't always go smoothly, and you may be disappointed or encounter problems (unpaid overtime, menial tasks, assignments that aren't in the job description, problems with pay, etc.). In the event that you encounter problems during your work placement, we've put together a list of ideas for what you can do. After all, your contract protects you in the event of a dispute, and labour law is more than just a fancy doorstop. The same applies to internships during your studies: you have rights. Being an intern is often your first step into the professional world. And therefore it's normal to have a thousand questions: am I entitled to a bonus? Can I take time off? What other benefits will I get? We'll tell you everything.
After graduation: finding the best deal
When you've finished your studies, does everything become clear? If only... Once you have that precious diploma, you scroll through the job offers and discover that there are almost as many types of contract as there are jobs to be had (we're exaggerating a bit, but you get the idea). Many job contracts seem to be for a fixed term, and you wonder if they're more advantageous than permanent contracts... Well, they can be. The two types of contract offer you different benefits. It all depends on your aspirations: more time for yourself, a better salary, more career prospects – pick your poison. On the contrary, do you want to travel or live the 'expat' life for a while? International internships can be good options and in our opinion, they still have their place in this day and age.
As you can see, we've done our best to make it easy for you to weigh up the pros and cons of each type of contract. You just have to choose.
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