Guide
Job Offer Red Flags to Check Before Signing
Restriction, repayment, bonus, and benefits terms to clarify before accepting a job offer.
Repayment and clawback terms
A sign-on bonus, relocation payment, training reimbursement, or immigration expense can become a real liability if the offer requires repayment after departure. Ask whether repayment is prorated and waived after company termination without cause.
Restrictive covenants
Non-compete, non-solicit, confidentiality, and IP assignment language can affect what you can do next. Ask for the full agreement before signing and get professional advice when the scope is broad.
Discretionary compensation
A target bonus is less valuable when payout is completely discretionary. Ask for target percentage, eligibility date, performance criteria, and recent payout history.