This is a guest post by Bojan Kordalov, Senior Expert in Strategic Communications, AI Literacy and Digital Transformation. He has over 20 years of experience in EU visibility, public relations campaigns, and strategic consultancy. Bojan currently serves as a Director of policy and communications at the European Centre of Excellence (ECE) in Brussels.
Most people update their CV or LinkedIn profile only when they need a new job. It often sounds logical – why invest time in polishing a professional profile if you are not applying anywhere? But the truth is, if you start working on it only when you are desperate for a change, it’s already too late.
In my decades of working with students, young professionals, and even senior experts across Europe, I have noticed the same pattern: our careers are full of achievements, but very few of them ever make it into the documents or platforms that shape our professional future. A successful project, a hackathon win, a volunteering initiative, or even an everyday challenge solved at work – all of these remain unused and fade away if they are not written down in our professional biographies.
And yes, the real questions emerge: how do I recognise what is relevant for my CV, or did I gain any new skill today, or even how to find enough time to work on enhancing my portfolio?
Because in today’s labour market, shaped increasingly by digital platforms and artificial intelligence, invisibility is costly. Employers and recruiters use keyword-based systems and AI-driven matching to find talent. If your skills and achievements are not documented and optimised for these systems, you risk being overlooked. Not because you lack competence or you don’t have what to say and showcase, but because the digital record of your competence simply does not exist. Don’t forget that to exists today or to be relevant to the recruiters and managers is equal to be visible online!
This is why I created and successfully tested the A.I.M. Model: a simple, structured method to turn your activities into visible, future-proofed achievements with the help of AI. It stands for Analyse – Integrate – Market.
ANALYSE – Capturing the raw material
The first step is deceptively simple: write down what you have done. It could be a new professional role, a course you completed, a project you joined, or a community activity you supported or volunteered. Think of it as building a diary of your professional journey. The key is not perfection, but the key is not to forget.
Too often we underestimate the value of small actions. For example, joining a project meeting at work or remotely might not feel “CV-worthy”. But if that meeting shaped regional policy or influenced even the internal communication strategies, its value is far greater than the moment suggests. Writing it down means you can later revisit it and extract its real meaning.
INTEGRATE – Letting AI connect the dots
Here is where artificial intelligence makes a difference. Simply because raw notes are not enough. They need to be turned into skills, achievements, and outcomes. This is where an AI tool like ChatGPT can become your personal career advisor.
Take a real case. A colleague working on EU digitalisation projects simply wrote down: “appointed as Senior Expert in digitalisation and communications within QUADRION.” A good note, but quite minimal.
When given more details and processed through AI, that same simple line could become: “Recognised expert in digitalisation and EU strategic communication, contributing to transnational cooperation under QUADRION to strengthen regional AI transformation.” Suddenly, what looked like a dry appointment became a clear statement of expertise, skills, and impact.
This is what our cooperation with AI does well: it sees patterns, translates activities into skills, and connects dots that we tend to overlook in our busy schedules.
MARKET – Making your story visible
The final step in this A.I.M. Model is to put those integrated achievements where they matter: in your CV, on LinkedIn, or even as short posts that highlight your contributions. Always repeat that marketing or simply promoting yourself is not exaggeration. It is simply ensuring that your real skills and achievements are not hidden in notebooks or forgotten email threads. Because in this highly dynamic world, every achievement gets forgotten within hours.
Think of it like this: if your LinkedIn is a static business card, you will be found only when someone already knows your name. But if it is a living, regularly updated record of your expertise, you will appear in searches, recommendations, and opportunities that you might not even expect.
Similar applies to your CV: instead of static ‘piece of paper’ refresh it regularly and clearly follow and show your career development and achievements.
Why the A.I.M model matters now more than ever
The A.I.M. Model is not about spending hours on personal branding. It is about dedicating only 15 minutes, twice a week to make sure your career story is always alive. Set two calendar reminders and treat them as seriously as meetings with a client. Or like your dentist or gym appointments.
Over time, this rhythm builds momentum. You will accumulate a bank of skills and achievements that grows with you. And when the moment comes, whether it’s applying for a new role, pitching for a project, or being considered for a panel, your story will already be written and ready.
In the age of AI, the smartest move is to let AI work for you. Not to replace your effort, but to amplify it!
With the AI tools, we are living in a world where too many talented people remain invisible because they underestimate the importance of documenting and promoting themselves professionally. The tools are now in our hands: almost fully free, accessible, and smarter than ever.
Our personal choice is simple: wait until your next big career change to update your profile, or start aiming for success now.
If you ask me personally, this dilemma does not exist at all!
