What constitutes a trade secret versus a general skill?

A general skill is a tool or language (e.g., Python, AWS, React) that is widely used in the industry. A trade secret is a unique, non-public implementation, proprietary algorithm, or specific internal data structure that provides your employer with a competitive advantage.

How can I safely list my experience without violating an NDA?

Focus on the 'what' and 'how' of your role using industry-standard terminology, while omitting the 'why' or 'where'—specifically avoiding proprietary business logic, internal project codenames, or sensitive client data.

A TermScore is an AI-generated risk rating from 0 to 100 that evaluates the fairness and risk level of any legal document. A score of 86-100 means the contract is highly favorable, while 0-30 indicates dangerous terms you should walk away from.

What types of documents can TermScore analyze?

TermScore analyzes any legal document including freelance contracts, employment agreements, residential leases, NDAs, brand sponsorship deals, SaaS vendor agreements, and rental applications. Upload PDFs, Word documents, or images.

How much does TermScore cost?

TermScore offers a free plan with 3 scores per month. The Team plan is $15/month for 30 scores, and the Professional plan is $50/month for 500 scores with team collaboration features.

Is my document data secure?

Yes. Documents are processed in memory and analysis results are stored encrypted. TermScore never shares your document data with third parties and you can delete your data at any time from your dashboard.

Can an employment NDA restrict me from listing my technical stack on my resume?

Can an employment NDA prevent me from listing my technical stack on my resume?

Generally, no. An NDA cannot legally prevent you from disclosing your general professional skills or the technologies you used. However, it can restrict you from revealing proprietary trade secrets, specific internal configurations, or confidential project architectures associated with those tools. You have a legal right to describe your professional experience, provided you do not disclose the employer's confidential business information.

Understanding the Legal Boundary: Skills vs. Secrets

The core of this issue lies in the distinction between general knowledge and proprietary information. Courts in jurisdictions like California (under Business and Professions Code Section 16600) and New York have consistently held that an employer cannot prevent an employee from utilizing their "general knowledge, skill, and experience" in future employment.

What You Can Safely List

Programming Languages: Python, Java, Rust, Go, etc.
Frameworks and Libraries: React, Django, Spring Boot, TensorFlow.
Infrastructure and Cloud: AWS, GCP, Azure, Kubernetes, Docker.
Methodologies: Agile, Scrum, CI/CD pipelines, Test-Driven Development.

What You Must Keep Confidential

Proprietary Algorithms: Unique code that gives the company a market edge.
Internal Architecture: Specific, non-public ways your company connects its microservices.
Client Lists: If the client list itself is considered a trade secret.
Unreleased Projects: Any technology or product currently in stealth mode.

Key takeaway: If a technology is widely used in the industry, it is almost certainly not a trade secret. You are free to list it as a skill, provided you do not describe the specific, proprietary way your former employer implemented it.

Risk Assessment: How to Evaluate Your NDA

Before updating your resume, perform a quick audit of your employment contract. Look for specific clauses that define "Confidential Information."

Clause Type	Risk Level	Action Required
Standard NDA	Low	List skills; avoid internal project details.
Broad IP Assignment	Medium	Ensure you aren't claiming ownership of proprietary code.
Non-Solicitation	Low	Focus on tech, not poaching clients/staff.
Restrictive Covenants	High	Consult counsel if the contract limits your ability to work in the industry.

Action Item: Search your contract for the term "Confidential Information." If the definition is overly broad—for example, if it claims that "all information learned during employment" is confidential—it is likely unenforceable regarding your general skills.

Best Practices for Resume Writing

To mitigate risk while remaining attractive to recruiters, follow these steps to frame your experience effectively:

Focus on Outcomes: Instead of saying "I built a proprietary data-scraping engine for Company X," say "I developed high-performance data pipelines using Python and Kafka to process 1TB of data daily."
Use Industry Standard Terms: Stick to the official names of the software and tools. Avoid internal codenames.
Omit Proprietary Context: Never mention the specific business logic or the "secret sauce" that makes your former employer's product unique.
Keep it Public: If you can find the technology mentioned on the company's public marketing materials or a public GitHub repository, it is safe to list.

Key takeaway: Your resume should describe your capabilities, not your former employer's intellectual property. If you can describe your work without mentioning the company's specific business secrets, you are on safe ground.

When to Seek Legal Counsel

If you are moving to a direct competitor or if your former employer is known for aggressive litigation, you should be more cautious. If your NDA contains a "Non-Compete" clause, the rules change significantly, as these are increasingly scrutinized or banned in states like California, Minnesota, and Oklahoma, and under recent FTC guidance.

Action Item: If you are unsure whether a specific project detail is protected, err on the side of caution. It is better to omit a specific project than to risk a cease-and-desist letter.

How TermScore Simplifies Contract Review

Navigating the nuances of an NDA can be daunting, especially when your career trajectory is on the line. TermScore uses advanced AI to instantly analyze your employment agreements, flagging overly restrictive clauses and identifying exactly what you are—and are not—permitted to disclose. By uploading your contract to TermScore, you can gain clarity on your professional boundaries in seconds, ensuring your resume is both impressive and legally compliant.