I agree and want to emphazise that especially desperate job seeker might sign it just to get a job in the given industry to a few years down the line hit a wall

I agree and want to emphazise that especially desperate job seeker might sign it just to get a job in the given industry to a few years down the line hit a wall when getting a great offer at the competitor... I went through this with a lawyer and she told me it is unlikely they would sue me, but they could make my life miserable. That was enough for many to be too scared to go to the competitors. - My experience is from Europe; but I will never ever sign a non compete anymore and so fo I recommend go anyone.