Tag Archives: advice

9 Tips for Creating Your Resume

At Red Kite, our mission is for students to be able to afford college, but we’re also here to help prepare you for your dream career, too. When you sit across that desk from someone that might potentially be your new boss (or you see your Zoom interview pop up), a superstar resume can be the key that unlocks your ideal future!

Luckily, ya girl Jane is back with a few expert tips on how to craft a strong, professional resume – or even just refine your existing one. We’re looking to demonstrate your skills, experience and potential in a clear and compelling way.

Fun fact: my dad used to print his resume on a sheet of off-white (beige) paper, so it would stand out among the pile of resumes on an employer’s desk. Little details like that can help you not only stand out, but impress with your outside-the-box thinking skills!

The first and most important thing to keep in mind while writing your resume is…

1. Tailor Your Resume to the Job

Not all jobs are one-size-fits-all. In fact, some jobs may have very specific requirements for their applicants’ resume, so be sure to double-check what is expected of you.

And even if your resume requirement is open-ended, you should approach each submission with targeted strategies. Customize your resume for each position by highlighting the most relevant skills and experience.

Think of the job description as a guide to align your qualifications with what your potential employer is looking for. Built-in cheat code!

2. Use a Clear and Professional Format

I totally get the urge to want to spice things up with a little graphic design slay. But this is a resume, not an art project! Besides, finding the sweet spot between “unique” and “professional” can be an art form in itself.

Keeping your resume clean and organized is the first step. From there, you can play around with different combinations of professional fonts, bullet points, and sections that help keep the flow. You’ll want to use a simple layout with clear section headings and enough white space to make scanning easy for recruiters.

But don’t just stick to the ole “Times New Roman”! Do something a little different, so that you can stand out. The trick is not being too over-to-the-top, to the point where your resume looks more like a wedding invitation than a professional application.

Also, be sure to save your resume as a PDF, unless instructed otherwise. There’s nothing worse than losing all that beautiful formatting!

3. Start with a Strong Summary

A brief summary at the top of your resume should highlight everything that’s about to come. That way, employers get a quick snapshot of what you’re bringing to the table, without having to read through the entire resume first.

This summary should be very brief – one or two sentences, at most. After that, you’ll move on to a summative list of your key skills, experience, and career goals:

4. Highlight Your Key Skills

Include a dedicated skills section to showcase your most relevant abilities. Use keywords from the job description to help your resume get past applicant tracking systems (ATS).

And for my Kitelings that speak more than one language, this is the perfect section to mention that you’re multilingual!

5. Showcase Your Achievements

Rather than just listing your duties at past jobs, focus on your accomplishments. This is your time to really sell the idea of yourself!

Structure your work experience to reflect career growth and increasing responsibility over time. Action words are eye-grabbing, so start bullet points with strong action verbs like “developed,” “led,” “implemented,” and “achieved” to make your contributions sound more impactful.

6. Keep It Concise

Your resume should be no longer than one or two pages. Don’t get me wrong – I care that your dog won first place in that local frisbee competition. I really do. But for your resume, you’ll want to prioritize your most important and recent experiences, which means removing outdated or irrelevant information.

And unless you’re applying for a highly technical role, you’ll want to balance technical terms with clear descriptions that any recruiter can understand. No word salad!

7. Be Honest

I know, I know… the temptation to exaggerate your resume can be super powerful, especially if you don’t have a lot of experience. But trust me, honesty is always the best policy!

You may remember that in my own college essay, I lowkey overshared about my life in order to make a compelling argument for my case: me! The same principle applies here.

So… never lie about (or even exaggerate!) your experience or qualifications. Besides, employers can verify information, and dishonesty can cost you the job entirely.

8. Use Numbers and Data Where Possible

Quantify your accomplishments with statistics, percentages, and specific numbers to demonstrate your impact. For example: “Increased sales by 20%” or “Managed a team of 10.”

If applicable, you can also add links to your LinkedIn profile, portfolio, or personal website to provide more context about your work and skills. You can use tinyurl.com to shorten any larger links, but if you’re submitting an electronic copy of your resume, it’s possible for employers to simply click on your hyperlinks.

9. Keep It Updated

This is the hardest part! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve sat down to update my resume and been like, “wait… what did I do this past year?”

It can be difficult to keep track of your accomplishments and evolution. That’s why you should always regularly update your resume with new skills, achievements, and experiences to reflect your most current qualifications.

And of course, you’ll want to keep your contact information updated, too. Make sure that your phone number, email address, and LinkedIn profile are current so employers can easily reach you.

On a serious note, y’all, ceating an effective resume is the key that can open doors to new opportunities. You can keep these tips while crafting a document that helps you stand out in the job market.

A well-crafted resume is the foundation of your job search, giving employers a clear picture of what you’re bringing to the table. All it takes is a little TLC on your resume to significantly improve your chances of landing your ideal role!

Red Kite know how important it is to present yourself in the best light. Whether you’re new to the job market or looking to advance your career, we’re here to help you every step of the way. Be sure to check out our Career Center to get matched to your dream job today!

Visit www.myredkite.com for more career tips, resume-building resources, and expert advice to help you soar to new professional heights!

8 Reasons to Consider a Small-Town College

Besties, when I was applying to college, I thought bigger was better. I toured massive public universities like the University of Texas and the University of Alabama, and I was starting to picture myself in those giant lecture halls, surrounded by hundreds of classmates.

Then it hit me: smaller class sizes meant more time and attention from my professors. I ended up choosing a school with an average of 15 students per class, because I knew there was no risk of getting lost in a crowd.

Don’t get me wrong – living in a big city and/or attending a college with a huge student body comes with a huge amount of benefits. But there’s something special about the unique advantages that small-town colleges offer. Let’s dive into eight reasons why a small-town setting might be the perfect fit for you!

1. Lower Cost of Living

The majority of small-town colleges are located in areas where expenses are significantly more affordable than in urban centers. From lower rent prices to cheaper groceries, the cost of day-to-day living can be much more manageable for students.

This can make a big difference for my Kitelings relying on financial aid or juggling part-time jobs. This way, you can focus on your educational and personal goals, graduate with less student debt, and have more financial freedom for your post-college life.

Also, a lot of nearby businesses also offer student discounts, so be sure to speak up!

(You can sign up for Red Kite to discover scholarships, grants, and loans for your college journey! More on this in the end…)

2. Tight-Knit Campus Community

I can speak on this firsthand: small-town colleges foster close relationships between students and faculty. With smaller class sizes and a more personal atmosphere, you’re more likely to make meaningful connections that last long after graduation.

Plus, a lot of small-town teachers live on campus, and there’s nothing like popping over to your professor’s for a cup of coffee! (If they invite you, of course…)

3. Focus on Academics

And for all you smart cookies, remember that small-town colleges are an ideal setting for focusing on your studies because they provide you with a quieter environment, which means fewer distractions! Without the constant hustle and bustle of the big city, you can create a steady routine and truly immerse yourself in your academic pursuits.

Trust that libraries and study spaces are way less crowded, giving you the perfect place to concentrate. Additionally, the reduced stress of a slower-paced environment can help you maintain better mental health. You need to stay sharp and productive throughout your college journey!

4. Outdoor Adventures

Many of these small-town colleges are surrounded by natural beauty. Whether it’s forest trails, rivers, mountains, or scenic parks, there’s an abundance of opportunities for outdoor recreation and relaxation! As fun as it is to take the subway to class, you might also enjoy a hike to a scenic waterfall! (Say hi to Bambi from me.)

My college actually offered a school-sponsored program for outdoor adventurists to pay a small fee and venture out to the mountains for hiking, biking, or swimming. One day, I hopped on one of their trips to the beach, and it was so fun and refreshing!

5. More Involved Greek Life

If joining a fraternity or sorority is on your college bucket list, small-town schools often offer a more close-knit experience! With fewer students, smaller chapter sizes = more meaningful opportunities for leadership and involvement.

Of course, like with most universities, Greek life plays a significant role in shaping the campus culture. These organizations frequently host events that involve the entire town, from charity fundraisers to homecoming parades. This way, their members can build connections both on and off campus… okay, networking!

6. Local Charm and Culture

Think of the distinct charms of small towns, filled with local traditions, festivals, and businesses that give the area character! These communities tend to be deeply rooted in history, and many small towns celebrate their heritage through events that bring people together.

In addition to the festivals, small towns often have unique, locally-owned businesses that provide everything from homemade treats to one-of-a-kind boutique shops. These local gems offer a chance to support the community and discover hidden treasures you wouldn’t find in a chain store. The vibes are immaculate!

7. More Affordable Entertainment

One of the biggest perks of living in a small town is the variety of activities that are easy on your wallet. For example, you can research and find nearby charming local diners with affordable daily specials! (Now I’m craving my favorite tiny Italian place from my college town.) There’s no shortage of ways to have fun!

In my town, the local movies theater offered $5 ticket Tuesdays, which I discovered is a pretty common promotion for small-town venues. Be sure to see if there’s one of these deals near you!

8. Supportive Alumni Networks

As a graduate myself, I can testify to the idea that alumni from small-town universities develop a deep sense of loyalty and connection to their alma mater. And as I mentioned before, students from more tight-knit communities tend to build lasting relationships that can extend well into their professional lives. If you choose a small-town college, you’ll also find a robust alumni network that is genuinely invested in supporting current students (like you!).

One of the key benefits of attending a small-town college is the opportunity to tap into this network for mentorship and career guidance. Alumni feel a strong sense of duty to give back, offering their time and expertise to help other students navigate their academic and professional careers.

At my college, there were also formal mentorship programs and networking events. The sense of camaraderie that comes with graduating from a smaller school can definitely translate into real-world opportunities. Graduates might keep an eye out for potential candidates from their alma mater when hiring for internships or full-time positions. Word-of-mouth recommendations and personal referrals help open doors for you!

Choosing a college is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make in your life, and the environment you choose plays a huge role in shaping your overall experience. If any of these reasons resonate with you, it’s time to start exploring what small-town colleges can offer.

Like me, you might find that the quieter, more intentional pace of life in a small town is exactly what you need to grow academically and personally. As you begin your college search, remember that finding the right financial support is key to making your dream school a reality.

At Red Kite, we’re dedicated to helping students like you unlock access to scholarships, grants, and loans. Our platform connects you with over $25 billion in financial aid, streamlining the process and making it easier to find the support you need.

Whether you’re drawn to the charm of a small town or the benefits of a big city university, Red Kite is here to help you navigate the financial side of your college journey. We want you to focus on what really matters: your education and your future.

The Essay that Won Me $406,000

Jane introduces us to her multi-scholarship-winning essay.

Jane Cooper: Red Kite writer, YouTuber, and mom to a belligerent silver tabby.

Sitting pretty with a 2.7 GPA in your junior year of high school doesn’t exactly scream “scholarship.” The year before, my older sister – who aspired to be a rocket scientist (no, literally) – had gotten rejected from 3 of the colleges she’d applied to. And she had a 4.0. No pressure, right?

And yet, in December of my senior year, I found myself gut sobbing on my mother’s kitchen floor, clutching a book-sized envelope to my chest. The highest one of them all – a $112,000/year scholarship offer. I suppose that you’re now wondering the exact same thing as I was in that moment: how in the world did this happen?

I won’t keep you hanging, but it’s important for me to note that we live in an ever-evolving, ever-competitive world, and it took a dedicated support system to pull me up by my whiny bootstraps.

Of course, I give full credit to my college counselor and my lovely parents (with their saintlike patience) for connecting me to where I needed to go. They also used resources like Red Kite (heyyyyy) to narrow down the application pool to schools with reputations for being generous with scholarships.

Before applying, I had never heard of any of the three schools that extended scholarship offers to me, but their writing programs were reputable, and my amazing counselor correctly guessed that they’d be a good fit for me.

But there’s only so much anyone can do to help you out, especially when you’re a moody teenage girl convinced that her prospects of getting into college at all are pretty much nonexistent. You have to want it, and want it bad. And the best way you can show colleges just how much you want to be there is through your essay.

Christmas diploma – BA in English Literature and Creative Writing (with Emphases in Fiction and Nonfiction) and a minor in Women’s studies.

I lucked out by having so many supportive people around me, and although I recognize that privilege, I also know that these days, there are so many resources available for kids who are navigating this process all on their own. Red Kite – our free, personalized scholarship-finding platform – is one of them.

Another foolproof strategy is the ole learn-by-example, which is a recurring theme we want to offer on this blog. Watch people who succeed, learn how they did it, and incorporate their strategy into your own. No gatekeeping around here!

I don’t pretend to be the greatest writer in the world, nor that my college essay is perfect. Honestly, the first thing that comes to mind when I read back on this – along with a whole wave of cringe – is somewhere along the “bruh… you’re kidding” spectrum. But, facts are facts: this essay won me a cumulative $406,000 in scholarships.

We’ll dissect this essay more in-depth next week, where we’ll get our experts’ opinions on what exactly went right here – and what could’ve been better. We’ll update this page with a link to our analysis then.

For now, here’s my $406,000 college application essay.

Jane Cooper

College Essay for CommonApp

While I was creating each of my novels, I had to think to myself, “how do I make people who don’t know me care about my work, even if they have no reason to?” The same goes for personal essays like this. Anyone can talk up and down about all the things they had to overcome and their accomplishments in their life, but the difference is how it is told. The answer has unequivocally always been to embellish, exaggerate, and create sympathy. This is not what I plan to do here.

Instead, I would like to introduce the truth of my own story, as raw and unbiased as I can manage. I hope to symbolize the confidence I have that the truth alone is enough to set me apart from other essay writers, applicants, and authors.

I was born in Austin, Texas to a mother who earned a Bachelor’s in Journalism at the University of Texas and self-published a book of autobiographical columns. My father also dabbled in poetry, and we like to joke that I took their flairs for writing and multiplied them exponentially.

I wanted to be a writer before I could write. When I was two, I would scribble nonsense in notebooks, then read them out loud as if they were actual books. It has always been a deep passion ingrained within me to the point where it feels as natural as breathing or eating. During my childhood, I had so many ideas that I never ended up completing anything I wrote, because I would too quickly move on to the next one. Eventually, I had thousands of unfinished books, ranging from 2 to 250 pages.

After my family moved to New York when I was in elementary school, I faced abuse at the hands of teachers and family members, suicidal tendencies, and crippling anxiety that would go on to take almost a decade to overcome. I began to slow down, and I finished a 45 thousand word book when I was 12, my first ever novel. It allowed for the confidence that I was actually able to complete my ideas, but more than that, it set the tone for the next five books that I would go on to write.

I joined a website for writers in 2013. It took another 2 years, but eventually, my work began to take off on the site, and in 2018, I had over 100,000 followers, and I’d racked up above 70 million views across my various books. Because I was still a minor, the site placed advertisements on my work, and never paid me for them. Eventually, they deleted my profile and all of my writing over this money dispute, and I was back to square one. I had spent 4 years of my life creating on this site, and now had nothing to show for it except for screenshots and memories.

After moving back to Texas and going through 3 high schools in 3 years, I finally found God and began meditating, effectively curing the anxiety that had crippled me since my childhood. Now, I am a straight-A student about to publish a second novel to Amazon, and my comedy-based YouTube channel has almost 1,500 subscribers. I also volunteer at a local organization teaching creative writing to underprivileged 2nd graders once a week. It’s small compared to what I achieved on the writing site, but I’m proud of it, and most importantly, I’m happy.

Only a year ago I had lost so much, and although I’m still suffering from certain aftereffects of that loss, I now firmly know I am strong enough to face anything. Nobody and nothing can take away my potential, my determination, and my talent.

My name is Jane Cooper. It took some time for me to see it, but I know my future is full of greatness.

Tag: advice