Don't Sign Your
Career Away
That job offer looks amazing. But the non-compete could ban you from your industry for 2 years. The equity could be worthless. The invention clause could take your side projects. Know before you sign.
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7 Documents That Control Your Career
Most people sign them without reading. Don't be most people.
Job Offer Letter
ACCEPT / NEGOTIATE / DECLINEThe first document you get. Seems simple, but sets critical terms.
They can fire you anytime for any reason
Benefits may not start until later
Leave in 2 years? Pay back the bonus
Leave early = repay moving costs
'Other duties as assigned' = anything
Employment Contract
SIGN / NEGOTIATE / REJECTDetailed terms for executives, sales, or specialized roles. The big one.
Geography, duration, industry breadth
Can't hire former colleagues or talk to clients
Your side projects become theirs
What triggers firing? What do you get?
Paid to sit at home — sounds nice until it isn't
Non-Compete Agreement
SIGN / NEGOTIATE / REFUSERestricts where you can work after leaving. Can kill your career.
1 year is standard. 2+ years is aggressive.
'Nationwide' vs 'within 50 miles'
Who counts as a 'competitor'?
Many states require pay during restriction
You're banned even if THEY let YOU go
NDA (Non-Disclosure)
SIGN / NEGOTIATE / REFUSEProtects company secrets. But watch for hidden traps.
'Confidential' = literally everything?
Forever vs 2-5 years. Big difference.
Some NDAs sneak in work restrictions
Can you use general knowledge you gained?
They can share your ideas, but you can't?
Severance Agreement
SIGN / NEGOTIATE / REJECTWhat you get when leaving (or being pushed out). Negotiate from strength.
Are you giving up too many rights?
Can't say anything negative — even true things
What will they say about you?
Do you lose it all or get acceleration?
Health insurance gap coverage
Equity / Stock Options
ACCEPT / NEGOTIATE / FLAGThe promise of upside. But the devil is in the details.
4-year vest with 1-year cliff is standard
90 days after leaving to buy? Need $$$
Is the strike price actually favorable?
Company can force you to sell back
Acceleration only on acquisition + termination
PIIA (Invention Agreement)
SIGN / NEGOTIATE / FLAGAssigns your intellectual property to the company. Critical for creators.
List everything you've made BEFORE joining
That app you're building nights & weekends?
Even tangentially related = theirs
Work on your laptop? They might own it
Applies even after you leave
Real Stories
Job Offers That Turned Into Nightmares
The 2-Year Ban
"A product manager signed a non-compete without reading it. When she left for a competitor, she discovered it covered 'any company in technology' for 2 years. She had to take a job in a completely different industry."
The Side Project Seizure
"An engineer was building an app on weekends. His PIIA said the company owned 'any invention related to the company's current or anticipated business.' They claimed his app. It was worth $2M."
The Worthless Equity
"A startup employee was excited about her 10,000 options. What she missed: 90-day exercise window and $15 strike price. When she left, she needed $150K cash to buy stock in a company that might fail."
Your Career Is Worth More Than AED 99
A bad non-compete can cost you 2 years and hundreds of thousands in lost income. TenderScan DE catches it in 30 seconds.