4 ms·

Do you think telling a potential employer that you've signed a non-compete could hurt your chances though?

• Bedon292 9y ago
  That's a good question. I don't think so, not in the DC area at least. They are standard around here. I think its expected that you have, and will sign a new one with the new employer anyways. During my my interview process one of the potential employers even asked to see any non-compete and NDAs that I had with my current employer, before they would move forward. Because they want to make sure they are in the clear too. I suppose it could hurt in some situations, but I feel its best to be open and honest about the situation. If you are changing careers, you may be safe to not bring it up, but otherwise at least talk to your own lawyer.
• Bartweiss 9y ago
  Potentially. They'd have to weigh both the legitimacy of the non-compete and their ability to either fight it or eat the costs of losing a new hire. But it's also good full-disclosure, since they could probably dismiss you on the same grounds. Someone caught behind a harsh-and-enforceable noncompete could certainly find getting hired very tricky. At that point they might well have to move - for instance, to California where out-of-state noncompetes are (usually) void.
• ghaff 9y ago
  It certainly can. I worked for a (very) small consulting firm. We basically wouldn't entertain hiring anyone with a non-compete that was remotely applicable. Just too much potential risk/cost. Doubly so if they worked for a client or a competitor. (Quite common.)