According to research published by Korn Ferry, a world-renowned HeadHunter, more than 70% of companies say their employees lack key skills. However, many of these companies are not necessarily looking for workers with so-called "hard" skills, such as project management experience, technical know-how or analytical skills. According to experts, however, it is soft skills that win the challenge.

Many companies look beyond work history and experience to focus on what employees can learn and apply on the job, rather than what they already know or have accomplished.

With many companies downsizing, the remaining employees will have to deal with the work at stake. They may be asked to work in areas and on projects outside their comfort zone. As a result, many of the skills required in 2023 have more to do with mindset than existing, quantifiable capabilities. Here are three skills to focus on this year to advance your career.

• Agility and flexibility

Companies are looking for employees who are eager to learn, open to new solutions and creative ways of tackling current challenges, who don't cling to old ways of working, and who aren't discouraged from making decisions in a time of uncertainty.

• Working capacity

Managers are looking for workers who are willing to do more work, especially outside their area of ​​expertise. And that could affect work-from-home policies, because everyone's been trying to argue that if people work from home, they can get more. Well, this assumption will now be tested in real life.

• True grit

Companies are looking for employees who are able to persevere and work towards a goal even in the face of significant obstacles and distractions. Employees who have encountered obstacles in the last couple of years have often looked to change jobs rather than trying to move forward in their current position. But companies in the future will be looking for more and more employees who are willing to persevere.