desirable skills

USAGE SUMMARY

"desirable skills" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It refers to skills that are preferred or sought after by employers or in a certain field. Example: "Applicants for this job should possess desirable skills such as strong communication, problem-solving abilities, and proficiency in Microsoft Office."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

They are the thousands of sightless or visually impaired people who possess desirable skills but who have difficulty finding work, or at least work commensurate with their skills.

Harvard Business Review

Desirable skills, he says, include unarmed combat, driving and firearms experience (the last through service with the police or armed forces).

The Economist

This is true but, as with most industries, the most desirable skills in new recruits are good communication, drive and the ability to demonstrate the commercial value of their work to their clients' bottom line.

The Guardian

Unemployment remains at a high level, but those concerned about inflation say that general stimulus will not help because the problems are structural, including, for example, a lack of desirable skills.

The New York Times

In the past, as the Republic of Ireland was attracting the likes of Google and Dell, its troubled northern neighbour found it tougher, despite offering low costs and desirable skills.

The Economist

Following the abolition of admission policies that evaluated applicants on the basis of their race and origin until the 1960s and 1970s, Australia, Canada and some countries in western Europe shifted to points-based systems that prioritized immigrants with desirable skills and regional free movement agreements with their neighbors.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Maybe a shortage of some highly desirable skill would lead employers to bid up the price of that qualification, he says, but that same scarcity might also lead firms to instead settle "for workers who have less of [or] lower-quality versions of the desired skills". That could, in theory, cause hourly wages to fall overall.

The Washington Post

More than 7 in 10 respondents said it's difficult to find and retain workers with desirable skill sets.

Los Angeles Times

If you're taking on more responsibility or are bringing in a desirable skill set, those are reasons to talk with your boss about getting paid accordingly.

Huffington Post

Maybe they're afraid of their own emotional reactions and trying to practice tamping them down -- an understandably desirable skill in a culture that values stoicism.

Huffington Post

Never mind, of course, that post-crisis employers in the U.S. overwhelmingly affirm critical thinking as the most desirable skill college graduates can acquire!

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When listing "desirable skills" in a job description, be specific. Instead of just saying "communication skills", specify "excellent written and verbal communication skills".

Common error

Don't list "desirable skills" as if they are mandatory. Clearly differentiate between what is essential and what is a bonus. Use phrases like "preferred but not required" to avoid misleading applicants.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "desirable skills" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "desirable" modifies the noun "skills". It typically serves to identify and categorize abilities that are advantageous or preferred in a given context. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

34%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "desirable skills" is a commonly used and grammatically correct term that identifies abilities considered advantageous or preferred in various contexts, particularly in employment and education. Ludwig AI validates this assessment. The phrase appears frequently in News & Media, Science, and Academia, indicating its relevance across different domains. When using this phrase, specificity is key; instead of general terms, detail specific skills. While differentiating "desirable skills" from essential ones is also essential. Alternatives like "valuable skills" and "sought-after skills" can offer nuanced emphasis. Overall, "desirable skills" effectively communicates the value and importance of particular abilities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

valuable skills

Replaces "desirable" with "valuable", emphasizing the worth or importance of the skills.

sought-after skills

Uses "sought-after" instead of "desirable", highlighting the demand for these skills.

in-demand skills

Substitutes "desirable" with "in-demand", focusing on the current market need for these skills.

advantageous skills

Replaces "desirable" with "advantageous", indicating skills that provide a benefit or edge.

marketable skills

Uses "marketable" instead of "desirable", emphasizing skills that are attractive to employers.

highly valued skills

Replaces "desirable" with "highly valued", stressing the importance placed on these skills.

essential competencies

Shifts from "skills" to "competencies" and "desirable" to "essential", conveying core capabilities.

key qualifications

Focuses on "qualifications" instead of "skills" and uses "key" instead of "desirable", emphasizing critical requirements.

useful capabilities

Replaces "skills" with "capabilities" and "desirable" with "useful", indicating practical abilities.

preferred attributes

Substitutes "skills" with "attributes" and "desirable" with "preferred", highlighting favored qualities.

FAQs

How can I highlight my "desirable skills" in a resume?

Use a dedicated skills section, and integrate them into your work experience descriptions. Quantify your skills with specific achievements whenever possible to demonstrate their impact.

What are some examples of "desirable skills" for a project manager?

Examples include leadership, communication, problem-solving, risk management, and proficiency in project management software. Depending on the industry, technical expertise may also be a "valuable skill".

Which is more effective, listing "desirable skills" or demonstrating them through accomplishments?

Demonstrating skills through accomplishments is generally more effective. While listing skills is important, providing concrete examples of how you've applied those skills adds credibility.

What's the difference between "desirable skills" and "essential skills"?

"Desirable skills" are beneficial and can set you apart from other candidates, while "essential skills" are mandatory requirements for a job or role.