If you are required to pay for a non-compete, then most employers won't find it in their best interests to pay extra for them. The problem is that some states

If you are required to pay for a non-compete, then most employers won't find it in their best interests to pay extra for them. The problem is that some states allow non-competes without compensations and most employees sign everything in front of them. This week a startup asked me to interview for a contract gig. Before the interview they sent me a 3 year NDA. I responded that I'm not signing an NDA to interview for a job, I have no idea what they will tell me and I'm not going to limit my future clients/work options just because we had a conversation. They backed down and we had a high level discussion and I told them to get someone else. Another option is always to modify the agreement. In the case of the NDA I was prepared to x out the 3 year term and replace it with a one year term and initial it in that state before signing. If they didn't like it, fine.