The end of an Era
When I was young and working at a company (my first big company), I really believed that I was going to stay at the company for 30 or 40 years and retire out of it.
I know, funny. No one stays at a company for too long. Comon, let’s be honest, two – three years is pretty long in the market today – enough to learn the next step or “area” of expertise and move on.
When you get to be a more “valuable” asset to a company, and in fact, are aware of its future products, markets, profits, etc., you hold secrets (or information) that your employer does NOT want out on the streets.
So, when you say goodbye, that you are moving on, they will usually come back with a form for you to sign. A non-compete, an NDA (non-Disclosure Agreement), or some form that says that you cannot go to a company that competes directly with them or let out (tell or publish) any of the confidential secret information that you may have.
Good for the employer, but, not good for you and your future – you can’t go to a company and USE the skill sets that you learned.
IT IS OKAY that this happens.
If your previous company does not want you to compete, then, have them PAY you not to compete. You won’t go into the office anymore so, as time passes you and your secrets become less and less valuable, but, you are being paid the same as if you were there.
DO NOT SIGN any NDA’s, or non-competes until this is finalized – it is WELL WORTH the $500.00 to hire a lawyer to negotiate this – believe me. Six months or one year of pay for not entering into their market is well worth it (if you have the confidence that you can get a job a year later).
Yes, you lose the valuable information you have and even become “out of date”, but, you make money. The question will be for you to answer. Do you take the money and insurance and possibly go into a new market? Or do you not sign, walk out, and hope that they don’t file suit against you if you let anything out.
