Category Archives for Uncategorized

How To Make the Most of Your Automated Trading Software

The following is a guest post. Enjoy! 

As recently as 2014, it was projected that the volume of daily forex trades would exceed $5.5 trillion across the globe, while this number has surely risen further in the two years since. This underlines the popular and lucrative nature of the marketplace, while doing little to highlight the challenges that it poses as a volatile entity. This statistic also fails to offer an insight into the increasingly automated nature of the market, where increasingly sophisticated and complex algorithms continue to drive trends and orders.

How to get the Most from your Automated Trading Software

Amid the rise of online brokers and virtual trading accounts, the emergence of automated software has gone relatively unnoticed. If you are looking to get to grips with such a system and optimize your performance as a trader, however, you may need to follow the following guidelines:

1. Trust your software

Automated trading is not for the faint-hearted, while there is no room for half-measures when placing your faith in a predetermined algorithm. It is therefore imperative that you select your software carefully and trust it entirely, as this will play to the strength of automated trading and its main benefits. One of its primary advantages is that it removes human emotion from your trading decisions, but you can only capitalize on this if you back the algorithm and make a commitment not to interfere with it.

2. Back test your Software Prior to use

If you are unfamiliar with back testing, this applies trading rules and laws to historical market data to determine the viability of a particular concept. This has huge merit with regards to automated trading, as it can be used to test each individual algorithm and the core premise of any given software design. So long as you apply absolute rules and establish realistic market settings, back testing allows you to debut your software in a simulated environment before you risk your hard-earned capital. With this in mind, you can carefully test and refine your automated strategy in a bid to optimize future profits.

3. Give your software time to achieve consistency

Even if your trust and back test your software, it is important to manage your short and long-term expectations before judging whether or not it has the potential to be successful. After all, no trading plan (whether manual or automated) can deliver returns 100% of the time, and as a trader you should instead prioritize steady and consistent gains that can be sustained over a period of time. So long as you invest conservatively initially and set limits with regards to how much you can lose, you must allow your automated software time to achieve consistent results that offer you a true insight into its performance.

Are Gold Backed Prepaid Cards the New Standard?

The following post is by Luis Aureliano. Enjoy! 

Gold has been held as a store of value from time immemorial. This is because when compared with money, gold is an item which does not get damaged and does not lose value in a precipitous manner. If you throw in $1m in cash into fire, it gets destroyed completely. If you push gold into fire, gold comes out unscathed. It may liquefy, but if thrown into a mould, it gets back into shape without being lost in any way.

This is why most governments keep gold reserves to back up the value of their currencies. It is also why in times of global market upheaval, we see a hefty demand for the metal commodity, which ends up pushing its price upwards. Over time, the price of gold has actually experienced a steady rise. From just under $300 an ounce about fourteen years ago, gold now sells for above $1,000 an ounce. But a comparison of the exchange rate between the US Dollar and the Euro fourteen years ago when the single currency replaced local currencies in the Eurozone, shows that the exchange rate between both currencies has not changed so much.

So it just makes logical sense to preserve at least a portion of your investments in gold. However, there is a new innovation in the prepaid card industry and that is the storage of money in prepaid cards in the form of gold units.

The Prepaid Card Innovation: Gold-backed Prepaid Cards

Perhaps one of the best prepaid card innovations in the world today is the development of a prepaid card which has the ability to be redeemed with physical gold bullion from your directly from your account and spend your funds in currency. Prepaid cards are by nature, not credit cards. You can only spend money on a prepaid card when there is money on it; you cannot spend money on a prepaid card with zero balance.

Benefits of a Gold Prepaid Card

Using a prepaid card directly linked with your vaulted gold savings comes with many benefits. Some of these are listed as follows:

1. The prepaid card enables users to preserve the value of their money. The users can have their savings in their gold bullion and redeem to the prepaid card to take profits from the rising price in the metal. The liquidity and transactional value from this is unprecedented.
2. Gold is a great way to save. Gold has gained more than 3,000% over the US Dollar since the era of fiat money was ushered in by Richard Nixon’s government in 1971. We’ve already pointed out that gold has multiplied in value where the EURUSD exchange rate has virtually gone back to its introductory rate in 2002.
3. For those who love to shop online or want to perform remittances (both services which may require currency conversions), the prepaid card works perfectly as it helps save on transfer fees.

How a Gold-Denominated Prepaid Card Works

You may be wondering how a prepaid card works. In a few sentences, this is explained below:

1. You will have to order a prepaid card from a company which provides a service where funds in a prepaid card are held against a gold standard. One of such services is the GoldMoney® Prepaid MasterCard®, offered by BitGold.
2. When you apply for the card and are approved, you can purchase gold units and add same to your account. You can check the balance of your gold on the website of your card provider. Whenever you want to use the card, you can sell your gold savings in exchange for cash on your cards.

The prepaid cards can be used in the same way as any other credit or debit card. The cards can be swiped at retail point-of-sale (POS) terminals, use for online purchases or used for cash withdrawals at a local ATM in your local currency. The funds are protected and preserved with real, vaulted gold, meaning that you will end up not paying any interest on purchases.

Conclusion

With the economic uncertainty in today’s world, it is imperative that we all start to live smart and get the best monetary deals that the world has to offer. One of such deals we will find useful in everyday life is the use of gold-denominated prepaid cards.

5 Myths About Renters Insurance

The following is a guest post. Enjoy!

They say that one way to predict the future is to invent it. And to invent a future where your property is safe includes buying yourself a renters insurance policy. Some people like to put this off, thinking they can settle the matter quickly if the need arises. But what happens when an accident or natural disaster strikes tomorrow? By then, it’ll be too late. Don’t let yourself reach that point. Set safety measures in place to protect yourself and your property in the future.

But maybe the problem goes deeper than procrastination? Maybe you’ve heard some things about renters insurance that are simply untrue. If that’s the case, you can start your search for renters insurance on the right foot by taking a look at these five common myths about renters insurance.

1. It costs an arm and a leg. This couldn’t be more false. While car insurance premiums can be awfully expensive, that’s not the case with renters insurance. According to US. News, you only need to set aside about $185 per year or just $20 per month for renters insurance, certainly nothing that’ll bleed your pockets dry.

If you’re afraid renters insurance will wreak havoc on your budget and drain your Happy Fund, no worries. With renters insurance, you’ll be able to spend so much less to secure your future peace of mind and security. Also, plenty of insurance carriers offer discounts with even lower premiums. If you already have an insurance policy, ask about bundling. You can also install safety measures for increased savings. Things like a deadbolt, fire alarm or a fire extinguisher will chip away at your premium cost.

2. It’s only great for stolen property. According to Lifehacker, a renter insurance policy often includes different types of coverage that you can choose from.
   1. Personal property coverage. Want coverage for everything you use daily—from your shoes and clothes, to your furniture and appliances. You can throw in any jewelry pieces or even that grand piano or cello you want insured. If you have items far more valuable though—a priceless painting for example—try looking for extended coverage.
   2. Liability coverage. Let’s say someone incurred an injury or suffered property damage because of an accident you or someone from your household caused. Maybe your waterbed sprung a leak and that seeped into the apartment below, causing damage to their couch and floorboards. Your renters insurance will cover their expenses.
   3. Medical expenses for others. Say you and a friend were trying to fix something inside your apartment—DIY style—and your combined handiness level wasn’t what you both pictured. One thing leads to another and your friend ends up with a deep cut that requires stitches. You’ll be glad you have renters insurance. This way, your friend can protection from medical fees no questions asked.
   4. Additional living expenses or loss of use. In case a natural disaster devastates your home and you need living expenses to help pull you through the next couple of days, then this coverage is the right one for you. So if you live in an area where you know you’ll have to evacuate your home once or twice a year, then being provided with living expenses ensures you get all the help you need. Also, don’t forget to find out how long the living expenses will last.

3. My landlord will give me coverage for my belongings. Unless this condition is specifically expressly in the contract—one you’ve verified with your landlord—then don’t assume you’ve got coverage for your property. It’s more likely that your landlord will only be responsible for any structural damage in the apartment. But coverage for any damage to your property won’t be part of the package.

4. It only covers my personal possessions. Not really. A lot of renters insurance policies offer coverage for the following: theft, fire and water damage, vandalism, smoke damage and lightning. So if you live in an area where vandalism or theft are rampant, then you’ll have to brace yourself for a quote that’s higher than the standard.

5. I don’t need insurance coverage because I don’t have that much stuff. Believe it or not, a lot of people think they don’t have enough things to justify the need for renters insurance. But try making a list of all the things you own alongside their market value and you’ll end up realizing that you have a lot more stuff and associated value than you thought.

Next time you hear someone spout off about the uselessness of renters insurance, you’ll have these myths to happily debunk.

Tips To Help Students Own Holiday Shopping On A Budget

As most students can relate, having extra cash to throw around for Christmas gifts is often just a pipe dream.  It’s hard enough getting by on a part time job or work study income as it is, but when you toss needing to get Christmas gifts for friends and family into the mix, it can become almost as stressful as having to study for finals!

According to the recent Discover Annual Holiday Survey, spending on holiday gifts is predicted to rise this year.  Interestingly, the way that millennials, many of whom are college students, choose to shop for holiday gifts is markedly different than their older counterparts.  Specifically, more than half of millennials reported that they would do all of their shopping online, compared with only 42% of older shoppers.  Additionally, nearly 3 out of 4 millennials said they would use their smartphones or tablets to do their holiday shopping, while only 1 out of 3 non-millennials reported doing the same.

With all this extra spending predicted and the ease in which millennials (and others) have in purchasing their gifts online or using their smart devices, it’s important to remember to stick to a budget that you can afford.  You can still get presents for your loved ones even on a student’s meager budget, without hurting your credit or losing your mind!

Here are just a few tips:

1. Create a holiday shopping budget:

It’s important to have a budget in place for all of your expenses in general, even if the holidays weren’t just around the corner.  Take your income in consideration, as well as bills or other financial obligations you have on a regular basis.  Then, determine how much is left over for you to possibly use for gifts for others during the holiday season.  Just remember, ideally you’ll want to pay your bill in full at the end of the cycle, so make sure you budget accordingly!

That being said, try to consolidate a little bit if you can:  if you have a sibling with a spouse, consider just getting one gift for the couple instead of an individual gift for each.  Similarly, don’t bother getting gifts for your pets if you have any!  Discover’s Annual Holiday Survey found that 37% of respondents planned on spending at least $50 on their dog, while 27% said they’d spend that much on their cat.  Dogs and cats have no idea that it’s the holiday season, nor do they even understand the concept of gift giving, so save your money and leave them off of your list this year!

2. Use a credit card where you get cash back for your purchases:

This one is a no-brainer!  If you’re going to be spending money, why not use a credit card that gives you cash back for all of your purchases?  You can then use that extra money to help pay your bill.  The Discover it chrome for Students card gives you 1% cash back on all your purchases, as well as 2% cash back on gas and at restaurants.  Additionally, you can use this cash back to pay for items on Amazon, which is a great place to buy all of your holiday gifts at once!

3. Do-it-yourself!:

Often, the best gifts are made by hand and cost very little compared to what it would be to buy someone a brand new commercially-made present.  Making the gift yourself also gives a sentimental and personal touch, which a lot of people appreciate.

The most important thing when it comes to your holiday shopping is to make a budget, stick to it and always pay your bills on time (and in full if possible).  By following these tips you’ll be well on your way to a stress-free (or at least less stressful!) holiday season.

Disclosure: I am a paid brand Blogger for Discover Financial Services My views are my own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Discover Financial Services and its affiliates.

How your accounting business can bill for higher-value services

The following is a guest post. Enjoy! 

As accountants, we all want the same thing — more work and more money. It’s rare for people to get into the accounting business because they’re passionate about accounting. Rather, they understand it can be a profitable business that allows them to enjoy some of the finer things in life.

Now, for some accountants today, they’re satisfied with their existing clients and the level of work they provide. Most accounting businesses deal with compliance accounting — making sure tax laws are being followed and that the books are being balanced.

But some of us strive for more. We want to be more efficient. We want to take on more clients. And we want to bill more for high-value services. In the end, this means for money, but it also means a little more work.

With some help from technology, however, it may not be as hard as you think.

Understanding the goal

Your whole team needs to understand how to bill for higher value services. This means moving beyond spreadsheets and helping businesses make important decisions.

• It requires a cultural change. You now need to think outside the box. While the old way of doing business is a great foundation, it needs to serve as a springboard into what’s truly important: services that do more than report what businesses are up to, and rather, help business move forward and grow.

• Research some technology options. Share that information with the rest of your firm.

• Start creating some estimates to show your team how much money could honestly be made off this idea.

Transition can be difficult

Mapping out the future is easier than actually doing it. Once you’re in a groove, it’s tough to go against the grain, but it’s a necessity if you want to make more money.

A couple of key steps can make everything easier:

• Go with a cloud-based system that allows you to work from anywhere and allow all data from you and the client collaborate under one umbrella.

• Don’t be too change-happy. Change is good, but you don’t want to ruin the great foundation your business has already started.

• When building a rate structure, make sure to mix it up. Tier your services, showing clients and potential clients that you’re versatile and can offer anything they may need.

Understand client demands

Technology has sped up the world and clients have become more demanding. They want cloud technology for all client services in order to have an easy way of monitoring their accounts.

You need to aim for the top. Whenever you think you’re going above and beyond for our client, push a little harder.

Be part of the “modern accounting revolution.” It’s not easy, but it’s unavoidable. You need to work extremely hard in order to win clients and honestly, make your work more interesting.

Financial Planning for the Holiday Season

There is a chill in the air these days and in some parts of the country, it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas and the holiday season! Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and before you know it, we’ll be decorating our Christmas trees, lighting our Menorahs, and spreading holiday cheer in general.

With the holiday season comes a lot of extra spending that we just don’t see during other parts of the year.  From heading out of town to see the in-laws (or to get away from them??) to planning and executing the perfect family Christmas dinner, budging for these extra expenses will go a long way in securing your financial health and keeping you sane during an otherwise stressful time of year.

Planning for Holiday Vacations

A lot of people travel over the holidays.  Going to Grandma’s house to be with the entire family this year?  Maybe you’re headed some place tropical to get away from the cold and blustery snow of home. Regardless of where you go, there is a lot that you need to plan in advance so you’re not seeing red on your credit card by the end of the year.

Before you head out anywhere, you’ll need to budget and allocate your finances appropriately.  How are you getting there?  Are you flying? Think about how much it will cost to park at the airport or take a shuttle or taxi in (as well as to your destination). How much will the flights cost? If you’re not staying with friends or family, you’ll need to factor in hotel, food, and entertainment costs. Even if you don’t have a solid itinerary, you still know you need to sleep somewhere and eat three times per day, so make some good estimates.

If you have been using a Discover it Miles card and earning 1.5x Miles for every dollar you spent, you can use those towards your holiday travel purchases to help with the cost.

Hosting Holiday Meals

Maybe you’re staying at home this year and everyone is coming to visit you! Now you don’t have to worry about flights, hotels, and other travel expenses, but now you have a new list of items to take into account.  What are you planning to cook over the holidays?  Plan your meals and use the ingredient list from the recipes to calculate how much it will cost for you to cook for whoever is coming to town to visit. Don’t forget about the wine or other adult beverages if you or your family enjoy such things. These items can add up, so try to find deals on multiple packs or bottles and try to pick brands that don’t cost an arm and a leg.

One way to save a little bit of money here would be to offer to “co-host” the holiday meals with another friend or family member.  Maybe one of you can purchase the food, while the other purchases the beverages.  Alternatively, if you have a lot of people coming from in town, consider hosting a potluck-style dinner where you provide the main dish while everyone else brings their favorite side dish and/or bottle of wine.

Budgeting for Gifts

Of course, what’s the holiday season without gifts? The more people you have in your family and close circle of friends, the more expensive gifts can become.  One way to avoid spending too much on gifts is to limit the amount that you spend per person.  Set a strict limit of $10-$20 (or more or less, depending upon your own financial abilities) per person, and do not go over that limit when purchasing gifts for each person.  Alternatively, if you have family or friends who are couples, consider purchasing just one gift for the two of them to share.

Holidays should be about more than just material gifts, so don’t feel obligated to “go all out” and buy everyone you know the most expensive thing you can find.

Check Your Credit History

Finally, with all these extra purchases this holiday season, you’re going to want to stay on top of your credit and make sure your credit history doesn’t take a big hit.  You want to budget all of your holiday spending appropriately so that you’re able to stay on top of paying your bills, and to make sure your credit score does not suffer.

Thankfully, the folks at Discover offer your FICO® Credit Score for free  on all monthly statements..

The most important thing this holiday season is to give thanks for all that you have, all your friends, family, and loved ones. It’s the company of friends and family that matter most, and everything else is just not worth hurting your credit score and sending you into debt.  Budget your holiday finances appropriately, and stay on top of your FICO® Credit Score  by checking it on your monthly statement or online.

Happy Holidays, all!

Disclosure: I am a paid brand Blogger for Discover Financial Services My views are my own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Discover Financial Services and its affiliates.

How Much Money Goes to Waste When Using Banks For Currency Services?

The following is a guest post. Enjoy! 

Banks can do a lot of things. But this doesn’t mean they do all things very well. Banks get a lot of business by being the only well-known game in town. They get more business by being a one-stop shop for all things financial. While this will be convenient for customers pressed for time and in need of a diverse set of financial goals, it’s not the best way to save money. This is nowhere better seen than when considering a bank’s currency transfer services.

Big banks are increasingly international. It’s very likely that at least one of the corporation that keeps or manages your money is, or is owned by, a multinational company commanding debt all over the planet. Because of this massive and far-reaching infrastructure, banks like this can easily convert one currency for another, anywhere their network reaches. For customers who have never explore the currency transfer industry, this may seem like the only way money is transferred across the globe. The reality couldn’t be further to the contrary. There are many alternatives to this model, and they’re used by the rich, the poor, and even national governments. If the Feds aren’t using Big Banks to transfer their money, why should you?

Because banks corner the market in a segment of this industry, they can charge what they want. While not entirely exorbitant, the typical fee associated with banking currency transfers is far too high, often causing average customers anywhere from 6-10% of their total transaction, if not more. This is a lot of money lost for anyone, especially if the money being transferred is for a friend or family member overseas, as in the remittance industry used by migrant workers and other people without much money to spare. The situation is no better for customers with a lot of money to send. If you’re sending tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars overseas, you can’t afford to lose the hundreds or thousands of dollars some banks charge for the simple procedure.

There is a new generation of money transfer companies. They offer dedicated dealers who can help you strike at the precise moment when exchange rates are at their most affordable. The transfers they perform are faster than the ones done by the typical bank. Their fees are typically very low, often waived if the amount you are sending is sufficient.

In conclusion, you lose money when transferring through banks, and you lose it in a few different ways. 1) You lose money when you pay a fee that is too high. 2) You lose money when the bank doesn’t help you find the best rate. 3) You lose money when the transfer takes too long (time is money). The conclusion is clear. With so many new companies clamoring for your service, take advantage of all of the ways they’ve made this industry so much better for the typical currency transfer customer.

Types of Loans for Home Renovations 

The following is a guest post. Enjoy!

Planning a home renovation requires the right type of loan and funding solutions. Depending on the situation and your goals, the best loan to help with renovation costs and managing the changes that you prefer will vary significantly. The key to finding the right renovation loans for your situation is focusing on the reasons you need the funds and any mortgage consideration.

The 203K Mortgage

Home renovation loans do not always mean that you already own the property. You can apply for a 203K mortgage loan and work on renovating a property after purchasing a home.

A 203K mortgage refers to a FHA loan that allows you to purchase a fixer-upper, or a house that requires repairs before you move into the property. The number of repairs, changes and renovations required for the property varies, but the loan allows you to take out extra funds above the value of the property and the basic mortgage so that you can make appropriate changes.

The loan allows individuals to take as much as $35,000 extra on a mortgage to pay for repairs and renovations on a property. The exact amount depends on your specific credit history, your financial situation and any other debts, so you must discuss your needs and options with a professional before starting the project.

A Jumbo Renovation Loan

A jumbo renovation loan focuses on improving the property by working on an appraiser required repair to the property. The loan follows similar patterns to any other loan process, but it allows individuals to make changes that ultimately add value to the property and improve the appearance of the property.

The primary downside of a jumbo renovation loan is that it will not pay for any structural repairs or damages. The loan primarily focuses on updating the space, adding more rooms or working on other renovations that improve or increase the value of the property.

Weather-Related Loans

A weather-related escrow, or a loan, allows individuals to make repairs to a property when a storm or similar weather-related situation causes damage to the property. For example, when a storm causes a tree branch to break through a window and damage the kitchen cabinets due to the force of the fall or water from the rain, a weather-related escrow allows an individual or family to work on repairing and improving the space with a funding solution.

Weather-related renovation loans focus on specific conditions and situations rather than personal preferences or increasing the value of the property. It only applies to the situation if the damage stems from the weather, but it applies to a FHA renovation loan or a conventional loan on the property.

Conventional Loans for Renovations

Conventional loans refer to any type of loan that does not specifically focus on just renovations. For example, taking out a personal loan or using a home equity line of credit allows an individual or family to make repairs and changes to the property without seeking more complicated funding solutions.

Generally, a conventional loan works well when an individual needs a small amount of funding for the renovation project. For example, paying for a bathroom renovation or repair project does not necessarily require a 203k mortgage or a new loan on the house when using home equity or alternative conventional forms of funding will provide the appropriate funding.

Before obtaining a conventional loan for a renovation project, clarify the costs of the loan and make sure that it works well with personal goals. Some conventional loans have a higher interest rate or higher fees when compared to other renovation loan options.

Security Enabled Chip Credit Cards

You may or may not have heard by now, but the credit card industry in the United States is moving over to what is known as EMV chip-enabled credit cards. You might have even received your replacement card in the mail by now, and may have already experienced the new way of paying in some stores that use updated credit card swiping equipment.

What are EMV Chip-Enabled Credit Cards?

EMV stands for “Europay, Mastercard, and Visa”, and utilizes a special computer microchip to authenticate purchases made by the card. In other words, EMV chip-enabled credit cards have an extra security measure in place to help prevent someone from stealing your card and to prevent credit card fraud.  These cards still have the magnetic strip on the back, which will still work if the retail establishment you are visiting does not yet have the technology to read the special EMV chip inside your card.

How is EMV different than traditional magnetic strip cards?

With traditional credit cards with just the magnetic strip on the back, whenever you swipe your card at the register, there is a certain amount of data that is transferred from the card to the merchant that never changes.  So, a thief or fraudster could in theory just need to steal your data on one random occasion and be able to use your credit card account over and over again.

However, with the EMV cards, the data that is transferred from your card to the merchant changes every single time you swipe your card.  Therefore, if a thief tries to steal this data, when they go to use it again for their own fraudulent purposes, it will not work and they will not be able to use your card, since the data has already been used once and cannot be used again.

Therefore, this new technology makes it much harder for credit card thieves to steal your information and wreak havoc on your credit!

How do you use the EMV card?

Not all merchants are equipped with the new readers for the cards yet, so for those places, you’ll just swipe your card like any other using the magnetic strip.

For those merchants that have the right technology, you’ll see a new slot in the bottom of the card scanner where you need to insert your card following the instructions on the machine.  Unlike the swiping method, you’ll actually leave your card in the machine for a few seconds and once the transaction is approved, it will tell you to remove your card.

Want more information?

Discover is one of many credit card companies that are excited to share this new technology with consumers. If you have more questions about EMV technology, the massive shift toward having every single credit card equipped with this technology, or if you want to just watch some videos on how to use the cards before you have to use them yourself, check out their EMV Resource Center online to find the answers to all your questions and concerns.

5 Ways to Jump the Queue When You Want a New Job

The following is a guest post. Enjoy! 

Are you looking for ways to pay off your home loan more quickly? Perhaps you want to head off on a month-long overseas vacation? Or do you just want to be able to pay off your credit cards more quickly? No matter what your current personal finance goals may be, landing yourself a higher-paying job in the near future can be a great way to go about achieving your dreams.

However, with economies tight and advertised roles harder to come by than in the past, you have plenty of competition when trying to find a new position. One of the best ways, as a result, to land a dream role is to know how to hear about jobs before they’re actually made public. Read on for five ways you can jump the queue and get ahead of other job candidates when you’re ready to move on to a bigger and better role.

1. Get to Know Recruiters

You don’t need to restrict your communication with recruiters to just those times when you’re applying for an advertised job. Instead, contact a variety of recruitment companies that specialize in your field, and approach their team members to let them know about your background, education, skills and experience, and the type of position you’re after. It pays to mention your preferred places of employment too.

Getting to know recruiters can be a great way to hear the inside scoop on potential new job openings before they’re listed. Hiring managers speak to existing and potential clients regularly, so they tend to know about upcoming roles early on, and are always on the lookout for top candidates to fill roles. As a result, if they can find the right person without even having to advertise a position, they will spare themselves time and make their clients happy in the process.

When building relationships with recruiters, make sure you’re polite and respectful at all times. Keep in mind that their time is valuable — they can’t spend lots of it speaking to you and providing feedback, so keep conversations short and to the point.

2. Volunteer

Another helpful way to hear about new job openings before the general public is to volunteer your time at companies you’re interested in working for. Whether you enlist as a regular volunteer, or participate in an internship, having your “finger on the pulse” at a business and getting to know its employees and managers can be a great way to land a new role.

Working at a company for free can not only give you a chance to make contacts with the people working there (who can let you know if jobs come up), but it can also help you to impress decision-making hiring managers or owners who are in charge of recruitment. Spending some time learning the ins and outs of the business can stand you in good stead when positions become available. You already know how things run; have met potential colleagues; and have shown an interest in the company, so you are likely to become a front runner for any available roles.

3. Network

Networking with people who are in your arena can also supply you with potential job leads. Whether you network in person at industry events such as trade shows, conferences, workshops, and casual get-togethers, or utilize outlets like social media sites, networking can supply you with tips on jobs before they’re made public. Don’t forget that it also pays to stay in touch with alumni from your university, as well as keep up relationships with people from your past workplaces.

4. Make Use of Referrals

When looking for a new job, it is always a good idea to seek referrals from friends and family members too. Even though they might not be in the same industry as you, chances are that they might just know somebody who is looking for a new employee. People feel good when they help others out and like to refer those they admire and trust, so are usually keen to provide assistance where possible. This tactic can lead to some unexpected opportunities, so don’t discount it.

5. Be Proactive

Apart from the above suggestions, there are also other ways of being proactive that can give you access to jobs before they’re listed online. For example, if there are companies you’d love to work for, submit your resume to their HR department, even if no jobs are currently listed. You never know when something might pop up, and many hiring managers like to look through resumes they have on file before bothering to advertise a role.

***Photo courtesy of http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-153117149/stock-photo-business-people-waiting-for-job-interview.html?src=JFBCRkBQvCy3bn13olVoWg-1-1