Sunday, March 15, 2020

How to Get Your CDL in West Virginia and Wisconsin

How to Get Your CDL in West Virginia and WisconsinThis article is useful for anyone who wants to get a CDL in West Virginia or Wisconsin. If you want to learn about earning a CDL at other states, we have put together a comprehensive guide on how to get a commercial drivers license in every state of the country. googletag.cmd.push(function() googletag.display(div-gpt-ad-1472832551951-0) ) West VirginiaYou need a CDL if you are going to driveAny vehicle combination with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 26,001+ pounds, as long as the GVWR of the towed vehicle(s) is over 10,000 pounds. (Class A)A single vehicle with a GVRW of 26,001+ pounds orthis vehicle towing another that is less than 10,000 pounds. (Class B)A vehicle with a weight rating of less than 26,001 pounds,or such a vehicle towing another that is less than 10,000 poundsVehicles that are designed for 16 passengers or more, including the driver, andVehicles used to transport hazardous materials.(Class C)In order to obta in a CDLYou must be at least 18 years old and have 2 years of driving experience.You mustmeet specific physical qualification standards and carry a medical certificate to show evidence of such qualification.If you are unable to become medically certified, you may be eligible for a medical waiver.The ExamsAll applicants must take either a written or oral knowledge test and passand answer at least 80% of the questions correctly.You must test for the desired endorsements you have listed on the test card at the time you test for general knowledge, but you may get a test card for other endorsements at a later date if you wish to add them.If you fail the knowledge exam, you may not retest for 7 days. You may try to pass the exam three times on the original fees.After you pass the written exams, you will receive a commercial drivers instruction permit. Only after you have your learners permit can you then take your road (skills) tests.After you pass your road tests, you can then receive yo ur CDL.WisconsinIf you are going to drive any of the following vehicles, you must obtain a CDLVehicles that weigh 26,000+ pounds, determined by the highest of the followingmanufacturers gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR)manufacturers gross combination weight rating (GCWR) when the towed unit has a GVWR, registered weight, or gross weight of10,000+ poundsactual weightregistered weightA vehicle carrying hazardous materials that require placarding under federal lawA vehicle designed or used to carry 16+ people, including the driverThe ExamsFirst, you must take and pass the appropriate knowledge test(s) for the vehicle you plan to drive.CDL knowledge tests are free, and take take at least 1 to 1.5 hours to complete. You must answer80%+ questions correctly to pass.You must present a valid Class D license at the time of testing.After you pass the knowledge exam, you can obtain yourCommercial Driver Learner permit (CLP).Your CLP will be valid for 180 days. You can use aCLP to practice driv ing with a qualified instructor or CDL driverwho hasa valid license at or above the level of your permit.You must hold a CLPfor 14 days prior to taking your road test(s).After you schedule and pass the pre-trip, backing test and skills test(s) with an approved third party tester, you can receive your CDL.

Tuesday, March 10, 2020

How to Ace Your Next Job Interview

How to Ace Your Next Job vorstellungsgesprch OfficeHours How to Ace Your Next Job InterviewTopResumes career advice expert tackles how to ace your next bewerbungsvorstellungsgesprch.A bigTHANK YOUto everyone who participated in our latest edition of OfficeHours, presented by TopResume You asked some great questions about acing the job bewerbungsgesprch, and it welches a pleaaya to share my job-search advice and career tips.Below is a link to the video from our Live Chat, along with a summary of my tips on how to prepare for your next bewerbungsinterview and my responses to your questions. For mora career advice and information about upcoming events, pleaselike us on Facebookandsign up for our free weekly newsletter.Want mora interview help? Visit our sister brand,TopInterview, to see how one of our interview coaches can help you ace your next interview.OfficeHours Live Chat How to Ace the InterviewHow to ace your next interviewWhen you think about it, the interview process can be bro ken down into three distinct phases your research and practice in the days leading up to the actual interview, your performance the day of the interview, and your follow-up afterward to gauge your success. How you prepare for the interview and what you do afterward is just as important as your performance when youre sitting in the interview room. Below is a summary of the main things to do before, during, and after your job interview to increase your chances of landing the job.How to prepare for your job interviewResearch the companyUse resources like Yahoo Finance, DB Hoovers, Google News, and the companys website to learn mora about its business model, the competition in its marketplace, industry news, and other key pieces of information that will help you determine if the company is financially stable.In addition, reach out to anyone you know who currently works or previously worked for the company use sites like Glassdoor, Vault, and CareerBlissand check out the companys social media accounts especially if they use social media to recruit to research the company culture.Then, think about the places youve worked in the past where you thrived and consider how the company operated, what the work environment was like, and what core values the company stood for. This will help you determine if a prospective employer is a right fit for you not just if you are the right type of employee for them. Remember, you can have the perfect skill set for the job, but if youre not a good cultural fit, you wont be successful. Click on the following link for more tips on how to research a prospective employers company culture for the right fit.Consider the orts requirementsTake a second look at the job description to get a better understanding of what qualifications the hiring manager cares fruchtwein about when filling the position. In other words, identify what about your work experience, skills, and accomplishments you should work into your conversation with the intervi ewer. If you have a contact who works for the company, this would be a good time to reach out and ask for that persons insights into the companys hiring process and the group of people with whom youll interview.Look into the market rateThese days, its nearly impossible to get past a phone interview without being asked about your salary requirements. While its illegal in Massachusetts, Philadelphia, and New York City to ask about your previous salary, theres no law in place in the U.S. to prevent an employer from asking about your salary requirements. Before you jump on a call or schedule an in-person interview for a role, use sites like Paysa, Salary.com, PayScale, and Glassdoor to find out the pay range for your target role, taking the companys location, size, and industry into account. Click on the following link for more information on handling salary questions during a job interview.Practice your interview answersMake a list of the interview questions that make you nervous so yo u can practice your responses, such as Tell me about yourself. Dont memorize your answer, as you wont win any brownie points with your interviewer if your responses come off as too rehearsed. However, its important to have a few bullet points prepared that remind you of the main points you want to cover in your response. Below is a list of a few common interview questions and the best approaches to answering them. Click on the following link to learn how to answer some of the most common and challenging interview questions.Whether they realize it or not, some interviewers may ask questions that are inappropriate or even illegal. Read the following article so youre prepared to dodge these off-limits interview questions.Prepare questions to ask during the interviewAn interview is a two-way street. Dont get so caught up in answering your interviewers questions that you forget to ask questions of your own. Ask questions during the interview to make aya this job opportunity is right for you, given your current job goals, ideal working environment, company culture, and other factors that are important to you. Click on the following link for a list of questions to ask the hiring manager during the interview process. In addition, create a few questions that digger deeper into the company based on the research youve done. This will show the interviewer that youre truly interested in the role and have done your homework.What to do the day of your interviewCalm your nervesFigure out the best way for you to release some of that pre-interview nervous energy and work it into your routine before your scheduled appointment. Whether its a morning run, a little meditation, or journaling, find what works for you and do it.Cut your caffeine intake in half and eat something with natural beta blockers, such as a banana or a handful of almonds, to help keep you calm.If you feel yourself fiddling with your tie or hair during the interview, make a conscious effort to place your hands on the table or on your knees. Dont let your body language betray you during your interview.Plot out your commute and leave yourself plenty of time to compensate for any unforeseen traffic jams. But you also dont want to arrive too early, as this will make you appear a little desperate and may put a kink in your interviewers schedule. If you arrive more than 15 minutes before your interview, hang out at a nearby coffee shop. This will give you an opportunity to collect your thoughts before entering the building and allow you to observe some of your potential future colleagues.Get in the right mindsetAssume your interview starts the moment you wake up and treat everyone you meet from your fellow commuters to the receptionist at the building as though they were part of the interview process.During the interview, act like a politician and a consultant. Stick to the talking points you developed ahead of time that demonstrate how you are qualified for the positionand find ways to weave that information into your interview responses. Ask the interviewer questions that will help you get a better understanding of the companys needs and challenges so you can better position yourself as the right candidate for the job opportunity.Dont forget to show your passionMany job seekers get so nervous that they forget to express their interest in the position during the interview. When you and another candidate have comparable qualifications, the only thing that will set you apart is your passion and genuine interest in the job opportunity.How to follow up after an interviewSay thank youA recent survey conducted by TopResume confirmed that a thank-you musiknote (or lack thereof) impacts your chances of landing the job. Dont overlook this important part of the interview process. Send an interview thank-you note that not only follows up on your candidacy but also sets you apart from the competition and takes you one step closer to receiving the job offer. Click on the following link for tips on how to send a proper thank-you message after every interview.Related How to Make a Great First Impression During a Phone InterviewQ1 What are some tips for a phone interview?I have a phone interview tomorrow with a large company. Do you have any tips or dos and donts for a phone interview? - LaQuita L.Many of the ways you can succeed in a phone interview happen before you even get on the call. For one thing, its important that you find a quiet place with good service to make aya that you wont be disrupted or distracted. Also, remember that even though this is a phone interview, you still have to exude confidence and enthusiasm. It may sound silly, but jump up and down or wave your arms in the air do whatever you need to do to get your energy up. This will help you get into the right headspace to show the positive attitude interviewers are looking for.One of the greatest things about a phone interview is that you can have your notes So go ahead and create a list of the key points you want to mention, as well as the questions you plan to ask the interviewer.A phone interview is very high-level kind of screening, used mostly to confirm certain parts of your experience and that you have the right skill set. Because of that, its pretty likely that you are going to be asked for the salary youre looking to make. Make aya youre prepared for this question by doing your research There are great resources like Glassdoor that can help you find the going rate for the role and an idea of the salaries at that company. I always recommend going for a number a little lower in the average range because youre just trying to get your foot in the door you can continue the conversation further down the line when you get to the face-to-face interview and you know they are interested in you.In a phone interview, it can be more difficult than usual to read the interviewer and get an idea of what he or she may be thinking. Because of that, take a moment every now and then to check in and make sure you are on the same page. A simple Does that answer your question? or Does that make sense? can go a long way.Finally, remember that a phone interview is just like any other interview. You should always come prepared with questions to ask, and dont forget to send a thank-you note once its all over.Q2 For my post-interview thank-you note, should I send a handwritten note or an email?Are handwritten thank-you notes a thing of the past? - Kate T.As a general rule, always send an email. Whether or not you also send a handwritten thank-you note will depend on the company and the company culture. For example, if youre interviewing for a job position with a tech startup, chances are that they want immediacy and an email will suffice. If a company seems old school or values tradition, they will probably appreciate a handwritten note as well. It will help you stand out, plus the delay in receipt its called snail mail, after all will help keep your candidacy t op of mind for the recruiter or hiring manager.If you do decide to send both an email and a handwritten thank you, make sure you change what you write in each so you are not sending the same message more than once. Keep it short and sweet though you arent writing a novel. State your thanks, reiterate your interest in the role, remind the interviewer that you are qualified for the position, and send it along. An email is a better spot to be more comprehensive you can address some objections that may have come up in the interview and add a touch of color, but it is still not the time to be overly verbose.TopResume has a series of articles on how to tackle the post-interview thank-you note, so be sure to give those a look before you write yours.RelatedHow to Send a Job-Winning Thank-You NoteQ3 What is the appropriate timeline for sending an interview thank-you note?What timeline do you suggest for sending along a thank-you note? Immediately? The next morning? When you know they are g oing to interview additional candidates so you stay on their radar? - Kathleen A.If you are mailing a handwritten note, go ahead and send it right away. It will take a few days for it to actually get to the interviewer. But if you are sending an email, you will want to wait a bit. Think of it this way You want to show the hiring manager that you are interested and eager, but you definitely dont want to come across as needy or desperate. So take a few hours before you send your thank-you note. If your interview was in the morning, send it that evening. In general, you want to do it within 24 hours of the interview. Keep in mind that that doesnt mean one business day, so if your interview was on a Friday afternoon, dont wait until Monday to send out your thanks.Q4 Is it alright to bring notes with me to an interview?Is it acceptable to have notes at an interview? - John S.Yes, if your notes are a list of questions that you have come up with in advance to ask the interviewer. It shows that you are both interested and prepared for your interview. But you shouldnt have notes for what you want to say or how you want to answer certain questions.If you want to have a reference for later though, you can ask at the beginning of the interview if it is okay if you take notes.Q5 Are there any advantages to having an executive lead a panel interview?What are the advantages or disadvantages if an executive is leading the interview with a panel? - Paul V.If an executive is conducting the interview, it probably means it is for a pretty senior role, or that the company is small or a startup and the senior executives want a hand in selecting everyone who joins. Having the ears of the higher-ups is awesomeMake sure you do your research on these executives. They will likely have more information available, like a more comprehensive LinkedIn, that you can use to your advantage. landsee what you can find out about their interview style or what they care about it can help you positi on your answers a certain way or ask certain questions that you know they will respond to positively.Need some more interview practice? Visit our sister brand, TopInterview, to see how one of our interview coaches can help you ace your next interview.Recommended ReadingAsk Amanda How Do I Pass a Behavioral Interview?13 of the Smartest Questions to Ask Your InterviewerDont Answer These Off-Limits Interview QuestionsRelated Articles

Thursday, March 5, 2020

The Key to Successful Resume Template Microsoft Word

The Key to Successful Resume Template Microsoft korrekt Some users dont understand what things to write and what kind of design is suitable. There are lots of free resume templates readily available online but sometimes it can be quite challenging to choose the best one that is fruchtwein suited to you. Each one of ur creative style templates offer you a perfectly balanced mixture of personality, professionalism and some style. Sometimes all you will need is a timeless style template thats clean, clear and right to the point. A basic resume is also simpler to read. Google includes lots of completely free templates as a piece of Docs. If you are searching for Microsoft Word Resume Template youve come to the proper spot. Microsoft offers a range of fashions inside their Word program utilizing their Resume Wizard or at their internet site. Employing online tools, you can create your resume but Microsoft Word is the perfect way to create a Resume. Microsoft Word resume temp lates are the most regularly used tool in the work hunting. The Basic Resume Template Microsoft Word may also be structured in the way which best presents your abilities and experience. Show employers that youre updated and create an excellent first impression by selecting the most suitable template. At times, youve got to send a brief resume. You may always go on the internet for your scrapbooking templates, and there are lots of sites offering beautiful templates at no cost, and therefore you dont need to pull out your wallet or credit card. Employing a resume template is getting an acceptable and smart practice for quite a few reasons. Facts, Fiction and Resume Template Microsoft Word All you need to do is simply edit the document to include your own personal details. Make certain that you have replaced each of the information from the template with your own, personalized details. It is critical to submit resume cause it includes each of the details that are required. O nce you have decided on your perfect resume template from our selection, follow our completely free expert guidance about ways to craft the great modern resume. The New Fuss About Resume Template Microsoft Word The upcoming free resume template was made in the shape of a brochure. If youve got older resume templates from prior versions of Word, you may use them in recent versions also. Our creative templates let you stick out from the crowd. Whether you need a comprehensive page template or elements, you can see them at one of several websites specializing in scrapbooking. Resume Template Microsoft Word - the Story Set the personal info to the theme to make cover letters you may use for a variety of kinds of work applications. Whichever tafelgeschirr you select, I cant overstate the worth of utilizing an expert job resume template. There are lots of beautiful resume templates out there, but nevertheless, it can be simple to feel as a lot of the greatest cost a ridiculous q uantity of money, require special design programs in order to edit, or both. A template can spare you a great deal of time.

Wednesday, January 1, 2020

Best Paying Online Focus Groups for Your Side Hustle

Best Paying Online Focus Groups for Your Side HustleBest Paying Online Focus Groups for Your Side HustleAre you looking for a side hustle to earn extra money? Participating in online focus groups can be an easy way to generate some cash. You wont make a ton of money, but you will be able to supplement your earnings. Whats a Focus Group? A focus group involves a group of individuals who have been invited to participate and share their opinions. They can be conducted in-person or online. Focus groups are used for market research for new and existing products, services, and organizations, for political campaign and issues research, to generate ideas, get feedback, test usability, evaluate concepts and data, and to understand customer perceptions. A focus group is composed of a group of participants led by a moderator. How Online Focus Groups Work In a traditional in-person focus group, a moderator leads the discussion. Each participant responds to questions and shares their opin ion with others in the group. With an online focus group, the discussion takes place via the web, chat, or your tablet or smartphone. When you sign up or are invited to participate, you will be given a link to access the focus group site. Youll be able to join the discussion, ask questions, and give feedback to the moderator and other participants. There are similar paid opportunities where you provide individual feedback using video or web-based software. How Much You Can Expect to Earn There isnt a set amount you can earn by participating in a focus group. Some groups offer a spielgeld payment as an incentive to participate, and others pay more. Earnings typically range from $30-$200 depending on the company and the time commitment, which is usually an hour or two. Some focus groups hold sessions on a longer-term basis where you may meet regularly for a few weeks or longer. Participants are paid in cash (via PayPal, for example), check, prepaid credit cards, or gift cards. Oth ers pay in points, where users can collect points to redeem for a prepaid credit card. Check the Details Before you abflug signing up to participate in a focus group, take a few minutes to check out the details and the group requirements. Its important to be sure the company running the group is legitimate before you share your personal information. As with any pay for participating website, its important to avoid getting scammed. Carefully read reviews before you sign up to make sure the site is legitimate and a good match for your interests. Be clear as to how, when, and how much you will get paid- is it in cash, check, gift cards, or points? Is it a set fee or a token for your time? Read the fine print so youre clear as to what you can expect to earn and what youll need to do to get paid. Survey Police have a list of reviews for survey sites you can use to decide whether a site is worth trying. Also, read the reviews on the Facebook page for the sites youre interested in. Yo ull find mixed reviews for most survey sites. Some people have great experiences others dont. How to Find Legitimate Focus Groups to Make Extra Money For some virtual focus groups, youll need to complete a survey to get an invitation to join. It is to ensure youre a good match for the group. For example, Focusgroup.com (Facebook) invites participants to groups based on their survey responses. When you click on the survey, youll get a list of survey questions to answer. Survey respondents will be considered for focus groups and invited by email if they are selected. Other sites will let you skip the surveys and register directly to participate in focus groups or online or video interviews for particular companies. Youll find the newest focus groups that are looking for participants on various Facebook pages. 7 Online Focus Group Listings Here are sevenwebsites you can use to find opportunities to participate in paid focus groups, along with their Facebook pages so you can rea d reviews and find the latest groups seeking participants. 2020Panel (Facebook) has paid opportunities for participants to share their opinions. You can sign up for local or online focus groups.Brand Institute (Facebook) seeks participants for pharmaceutical and consumer market research panel groups.Engage conducts consumer and healthcare (youll need to pick one) market research studies, and pay ranges from $50-$250.Mindswarms (Facebook) pays $50 for your insights. Youll need to answer seven questions using video.Userinterviews.com (Facebook) pays you for your feedback on real projects. After you sign up, youll be invited by email to complete surveys. If you qualify for a study, youll get paid to participate. You can search for online or over the phone interviews, as well as for in-person or in-home opportunities. Probe Market Research (Facebook) pays $50-$400 for group, telephone, or online interviews for their clients advertising campaigns, products, or services.Recruit and Field (Facebook) have nationwide webcam studies, as well as focus groups in a variety of locations. You wont earn a ton of money, but youll get a token of Googles appreciation or a donation to your favorite charity if you sign up to participate in Googles User Experience Research. More Ways to Find Focus Groups FindFocusGroups.com (Facebook), FocusGroups.org (Facebook), and FocusGroupFinder.com list current focus groups seeking participants, some of which are online. If you have the time to spare, there are many opportunities to participate in in-person focus groups. Plaza Research (Facebook), for example, has facilities across the U.S. and pays $50-$200 to group participants. SIS International Research (Facebook) conducts focus groups, one-on-one interviews, and research studies. You can find a variety of (virtual and in-person) focus group opportunities on Craigslist. Search Craigslist jobs and gigs for focus or focus group. You also can search Facebook for focus group to find a lis t of pages of companies seeking applicants. Read More New Sources for Side Income

Friday, December 27, 2019

Do you get Sunday scaries 5 ways to banish them

Do you get Sunday scaries 5 ways to banish themDo you get Sunday scaries 5 ways to banish themAs the clock ticks ever closer to Sunday evening, you might recognize a sinking feeling in your heart. Ugh, another day at that dreaded distributionspolitik is what your mind tells you, as you reluctantly get yourself ready for the new week at work.This feeling is something we call the Sunday scaries (its like the scary cousin of a case of the Mondays)Whether its a powerful feeling that overcomes you on a weekly basis, or just a hint of fear that creeps up on you as realize your Sunday off is passing you by, getting the Sunday scaries is that feeling of dread before going back to work on Monday morning.The good news is that you dont have to feel that way. Take action to banish the Sunday scaries and get back to enjoying your weekend so that you feel rejuvenated as the new week begins.What causes the Sunday scaries?Everyone dreads Monday morning from time to time. But if you find yourself sin king into the Sunday blues week after week, something else is to blame. The Sunday scaries are a sign that youre not satisfied with the status quo. Perhaps you feel unfulfilled by your current job duties, youre overworked or underpaid, you got transferred to a new division and dont like your new coworkers, or you feel unsupported by your company. Or maybe youre just flat out bored.Everyones Sunday blues happen for a different reason, so the first step is to figure out whats trigging yours. Think about your ideal work position. What is the disconnect between your current job and that ideal, fantasy position? Imagine your boss came in tomorrow and said, I want you to do _____. How would you fill in that blank to feel more energized and excited about work?5 ways to banish the Sunday Scaries1. Re-evaluate your job dutiesWhen youre feeling stagnant at work, its a great time to talk to your supervisor about your role. A good manager is invested in your career growth and wants you to feel fulfilled. In many cases, taking on a more diverse set of duties can occur if you simply ask. Think about ways that you think your skills are going unused. Then, present your supervisor with an action plan. For example, I think my communication skills are my major strength, but I dont always feel like Im using them to the kollektivs greatest advantage. I would love to create a monthly e-newsletter to send to clients.2. Take advantage of growth opportunitiesIts in your organizations best interest to retain you, so many workplaces offer a variety of employee enrichment activities. Check out your companys offerings. Management classes, mentorship programs, educational workshops, or even graduate school tuition remission may be available to you. If these programs arent currently offered by your organization, ask This shows that you are excited about growing and developing your skills. The worst they can do is say no.3. Look for opportunities to leadIf youre invested in your current orga nization but feel like you just cant move up to the next level, look for opportunities to show management what youve got. Rather than following your job duties to the letter, go above and beyond. Speak up with ideas at team meetings, offer to take the lead on an upcoming project, or ask to be trained on a new process. This shows that youre invested in learning and leading, qualities that upper management will look for when making promotion decisions.4. Burnt out? Time to schedule that vacationBurnout doesnt do you or your organization any good. If youre feeling overworked and dreading going to the office on Monday, you wont be an effective employee. It might feel like you have way too much work to get away, but schedule your vacation anyway. Even if its just a long weekend, you will return feeling rejuvenated and ready (even excited) to jump back into your job.5. Sometimes its not you, its your workplaceIf youve tried to make changes at work but still feel that familiar Sunday dread , it might be time for a larger change. Initiating a job change isnt something you should do lightly, so take your time to do your research. Think about the qualities that youre looking for in a new workplace. Potential for advancement, using a certain skill set, developing new skills, salary, work-life balance, educational or enrichment opportunities, location, and company culture are all important considerations.Once youve made a wish list for your new job, start exploring opportunities in your desired area. Check out honest reviews about company culture to figure out what business place might be right for you. Sometimes the fit of the workplace is more important than the nitty gritty details of the job you do. Figuring out the right balance of job qualities and office culture is crucial to get back to loving your Sundays again.Linda Le Phan is the Content Marketing Manager at kununu US, a place where job seekers can get an authentic view of life at a company and where employers h ave a trusted platform to better engage talent. When shes not creating content about the modern workplace, company culture, and life work hacks, she is probably going out to get an iced coffee (even in Boston winter), raiding the snack drawer, or jamming to kununus Spotify playlist.This article first appeared on Kununu.

Sunday, December 22, 2019

Bank of Americas SEC Settlement Approved

Bank of Americas SEC Settlement ApprovedBank of Americas SEC Settlement ApprovedThe judgment is a huge win for BofA, which can now get back to business without worrying about having to sell the farm (a huge subsidiary or two) to pay for a huge fine/settlement that would have likely resulted had a judgment of negligence come in.Look for BofA to ramp up its executive hiring in the coming month, as bankers will now feel a whole lot safer toting around Bank of America Merrill Lynch cards now that the bank has been freed.

Wednesday, December 18, 2019

3 Things You Might Not Know About Quitting Your Job

3 Things You Might Not Know About Quitting Yur Job3 Things You Might Not Know About Quitting Your JobSo, youve weighed all the pros and cons, and youve decided to resign from your current position. The decision could be a tough one or a no-brainer, but regardless, how you handle yourself- and your colleagues- after youve submitted that resignation letter is an important part of the process that many of us dont consider.If youre starting to plot your exit, consider these three tips to help smooth your transition and keep your reputation rock-solid after youre gone.1. Read Your ContractDeciding to quit your job will no doubt require you to consider a lot of factors. Pay, job satisfaction, and commute time probably come to mind, right? What many people forget, though, is the fine print. Depending on your role, you may have a contract with your current employer, which means how- and when- you resign will be important.Take one of my former colleagues several years back as an example. He h ad recently been transferred to my arbeitszimmer from another location out of state, which the company had sponsored. All his moving expenses, as well as a travel allowance, had been paid up front, with the specific agreement hed stay in the position for two years. If he left before that time was up, he was on the hook for all the moving expenses (which werent cheap). About a year and a half into his contract, he was offered a great opportunity someplace else and decided to resign. Naturally, the company wasnt pleased, and immediately reminded him of the money hed owe upon his departure. Ouch.Suddenly, that new job wasnt making sense financially. If my colleague had taken the time to review his contract, however, he wouldve known he just had to wait six more months, and hed be free to move on. If his new employer couldnt wait that long, then he at least wouldve had the opportunity to factor those moving costs into his salary negotiation. The moral of the story? Before you hand over that resignation letter, make sure youve reviewed your contract with your employer. Whether its checking the length of your contract or finding out if going to a competitor will cause issues, reading the fine print will confirm youre free and clear to resign without it costing you.2. Keep it Under WrapsOnce youve decided to move on, its tempting to share the news with your colleagues. Maybe theyre also considering getting out of there, or maybe you just want to let your work buddies know youre moving on. Regardless of your reasons, though, resist the urge to spill the beans. News of departures travels quickly, and the best way to kill your reputation with your babo is for her to find out youre leaving at the water cooler.I know this because, well, it happened to me early on in my career. I confided in one of my colleagues- someone I trusted- and it turns out, he couldnt keep the secret. Part of the reason I was leaving was because Id been offered a better position with a competitor, so my confidant took it upon himself to covertly alert my manager so she could be ready with a counteroffer when I gave her my notice. While Im sure my colleague really was trying to help, he inadvertently stirred up quite a mess, with me smack in the center. My babo was naturally stressed by being put in the position of having to try to convince me to stay, but she was more upset I hadnt come to her first. And, since shed heard about my exit from someone else, I no longer had any control over how the message was delivered. Instead of getting to explain to her why I was leaving, my boss viewed me as unprofessional and disloyal. Not exactly the way you want to leave a job. While I was able to eventually smooth things over, it definitely wasnt how I wanted the situation to go down.Yes, its going to be tough keeping such big news confidential, but if you can manage to keep it under wraps until youve spoken directly with your boss, youll keep the tone and the delivery of the news under your control. 3. Be Prepared to Be an OutsiderWhile moving on to a new gig may be exciting for you, it might not be so great for the colleagues youre leaving behind. In fact, your departure may spark some pretty intense emotions among your teammates (resentment, jealousy, stress that theyll have to pick up the pieces), which means you might feel like a bit of an outsider once youve given notice.Several years back, I worked with a guy who had a great opportunity to join a competitor and really advance his career. As soon as we all found out, the group was supportive, but it didnt last. Since my colleague was a senior member of the team, hed given over a month of notice, which meant we had several weeks to work with him, knowing he was going to one of our top competitors. Not surprisingly, he was quickly excluded from strategy and team meetings, and eventually happy hours and other office events. While it wasnt easy for him, he recognized this was part of the deal and handled it with grace, which made things a whole lot less awkward for the rest of the team. He ended up leaving on a positive note, with all of us wishing him well on his last day- definitely what you want to happen when you leave a job.Its not fun to think about, but the reality is, when youre leaving a team, its only natural for your colleagues to see you differently after youve resigned. While youll still have to do your job and assure a smooth transition, understanding your team will probably have some mixed emotions about your decision will help you get through your last couple weeks more easily.Most of us will have to resign from at least a few jobs in our career, and every time will be a new challenge. But, keep these tips in mind when youre ready to move on, and youll ensure you leave with high recommendations and your reputation in tact.Photo of man leaving courtesy of Shutterstock.