17 tricks for landing a job that isn't advertised … or doesn't exist

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Rumor has it there's a "hidden job market" with tons of unadvertised jobs. And as it turns out, there are some easy ways to crack it."This is good news for job seekers who are a little adventurous but also strategic," explains Lynn Taylor, a national workplace expert and author of "Tame Your Terrible Office Tyrant: How to Manage Childish Boss Behavior and Thrive in Your Job." "A hidden market affords you endless opportunities to pursue your dream job. Whether a job is unadvertised or hasn't even been created yet, by being proactive and pursuing the companies you want to join, you'll increase the odds of finding what you want. And if the stars line up, you may even have limited or no competition."

Your "hidden job search" will require a lot more research, tenacity, and emotional intelligence than a traditional one, she says, "because you typically have to do more persuading and take the time to package yourself extremely well when you're trying to land an unadvertised, or non-existent job." But the effort can be well worth it, she adds.

If you're up for the challenge, here are 17 tricks for landing an elusive, hidden job:

Work on mastering your soft skills.

Taylor says you'll need: good communication abilities, strong drive, excellent street smarts and instincts, great networking skills, diplomacy, intellectual curiosity, persuasiveness, an ability to articulate your pitch, passion, and creativity.

Aside from having a competitive, marketable skill set, these are some soft skills that can make a huge difference when trying to tap the hidden job market.

Find your 'unique selling proposition' and master your elevator pitch.

You can't be all things to all people, so zone in on your brand and "unique selling proposition."

"Who are you in your industry sphere? What have you accomplished that makes you unique? Where are these skills most needed?" Taylor asks. "Make your elevator pitch powerful and succinct. Once you have your packaging complete, this kind of targeted search will be much more efficient."

Do your homework.

If and when you decide to pursue this type of job search, the onus is on you to conduct extensive research. "You have a little more latitude when there's a published opening, but this requires a deeper understanding of the industry, company, their mission, department, specific contact names and duties, as well as knowledge of how you can contribute in a meaningful way," Taylor explains.

Use keywords and the company name not only on LinkedIn, but through a general search, she suggests. "This way, you'll find endless information on companies, people, strategies, news, and more."

Roll up your sleeves and become a job sleuth. "Read news releases. Look for people with common interests and think out of the proverbial box. If one of your prospective hiring managers plays on a local golf team or is involved with your favorite charity, for instance, forge ahead and leverage commonalities. If they had an anniversary or major achievement in the press, mention that in your pitch," she says.