A cheap loan is hard to come by. This is especially true for the unsecured loan, which isn't secured against collateral and is often much more expensive as a result. Luckily there are ways around this price hike, so long as the applicant is responsible and able to show it.
Since the lender charges an interest rate based on risk, the goal is to keep the risk as low as possible. The first step is to have a pristine credit score. With a perfect credit score, lenders will be able to see that the "worth" of the borrower is high enough that they can be trusted. A credit rating is hard to change sometimes, however, and this isn't always an option for a short-term fix.
Having income and being somewhat of a "saver" personality is important to the lender. Lenders like a person who can keep a job, save money, and overall show a sense of responsibility in their financial life. If one switches jobs endlessly and doesn't have much of a saving history, it's likely they'll suffer through increased interest rates. Be prepared to show proof of income, history of income, and also woo over the lender with a responsible explanation for any blemishes.
Having a savings account for a "rainy day" is also important in getting a good intereset rate. When lenders see that a savings account has been active over the years, they will note this fact and trust the prospective borrower much more than if they didn't have much money stores to speak of.
Lenders are much more friendly to a borrower's cause when the borrower already has an account with the lending institution, whether it be a checking or savings account. In this case, they will be able to monitor their account, withdraw funds as necessary, and ensure that the borrower has shown responsible behavior in the past. As such, try going to one's initial place of business in banking for the best deal.
An unsecured loan is going to be reduced greatly in part to one thing: a proper budget. Lenders love to see a client come in with a budget lined out. It doesn't always have to be anything professional- just enough to show that the responsibility required to pay back a loan on time is present.
Final Thoughts
Secured loans will always be the cheaper alternative, but unsecured loans don't have to be so expensive either. Consult local lenders for more information on the situation, and consider going online to investigate lenders from around the world.