The following was originally published by the Sun Community News.
ESSEX | Writing a resume today means more than listing jobs and skills — it’s about creating a personal brand. College- and career-readiness nonprofit Brilliant Pathways is helping students master that challenge.
On March 18, the organization connected 22 Northeastern Clinton High School students with recruiters from global language services company TransPerfect for a hands-on workshop on crafting effective resumes. Students learned how to choose powerful words, highlight hidden strengths, and avoid mistakes that can get a resume tossed out in seconds.
“Strong resumes are critical to finding meaningful work,” said Tara Smith, CEO of Brilliant Pathways. “But as competition tightens, we’re teaching students how to stand out — not just with credentials, but with confidence.”
Manaya Colon, senior talent acquisition specialist at TransPerfect, stressed attention to detail: “Some resumes never get considered because of sloppy mistakes — even forgetting contact info. Specificity matters. If you’ve tutored students in math, that tells me you’re strong with numbers and committed to helping others.”
Colon encouraged students to turn experiences such as sports or part-time jobs into skill statements that demonstrate teamwork, time management, and adaptability. Sophomore Brady quickly got the message, reframing a frustrating sales experience into a story about problem-solving and patience.
Modern recruiters — and the AI systems they use — scan resumes for key terms such as communication, reliability, problem-solving, and adaptability. Smith noted these “soft skills” are becoming even more important as artificial intelligence handles more technical work.
Colon also reminded students that a resume is only part of their professional image. “I always Google candidates,” she said. “Your LinkedIn profile should match your resume and reflect a professional, consistent brand. Follow-up makes you memorable — reach out after you apply.”
Students also got advice on using AI tools wisely for proofreading and editing without letting technology do the writing for them. “AI content is easy to spot,” Colon warned.
“Today’s workshop is about giving students the tools and confidence to market themselves effectively,” said Manny Tejeda, Brilliant Pathways’ director of special programs. “Once they leave, they know how to turn experiences into assets.”
Since 1991, Brilliant Pathways has helped more than 100,000 students become college- and career-ready through programs that build both competence and character.
Learn more at brilliantpathways.org.