Read the Non-Compete Before You Sign, Not When You Need to Leave

Most people skim the legal pages of an offer letter and sign everything at once, excited about the new job. Then, a few years later, they discover a non-compete or non-solicitation clause that quietly blocks the exact move they want to make. A clause you never read still binds you.

Before signing anything, read every restrictive clause carefully, note its length and scope, and ask a lawyer if the wording is unclear or the stakes are high. It costs one afternoon now instead of a blocked career move later.