What is the difference between a tech stack and a trade secret?

A tech stack is a standard industry toolset (e.g., React, AWS, Python). A trade secret is proprietary information that provides a competitive advantage, such as a unique, non-public algorithm or a specific, secret architecture that is not known to the public.

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

Focus on the tools and methodologies used rather than the specific implementation details. Describe the scale of the project, the problems you solved, and the technologies involved, while omitting proprietary data, internal project codenames, or sensitive business metrics.

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 legally stop me from mentioning my specific tech stack on my resume

Can an employment NDA legally stop me from mentioning my specific tech stack on my resume?

No. An NDA cannot legally prevent you from disclosing your general professional skills, experience, or the technologies you used. It can only protect specific trade secrets, proprietary source code, or confidential business strategies. You have a legal right to describe your work history to secure future employment.

Key takeaway: Courts generally view overly broad non-disclosure agreements that prevent an employee from practicing their trade as unenforceable restraints of trade.

Understanding the Legal Boundaries of NDAs

Employment NDAs are designed to protect a company's intellectual property, not to prevent you from being employable. When you list a tech stack on your resume, you are describing your professional qualifications. Unless the technology itself is a proprietary, non-public invention created by your employer, you are free to list it.

What is Protected vs. What is Public

It is vital to distinguish between your skill set and the employer's proprietary assets. The following table clarifies the distinction:

Category	Examples	Status
Standard Tech Stack	React, Kubernetes, Python, AWS	Publicly listable
Proprietary Algorithms	Internal high-frequency trading logic	Confidential
Business Strategy	Unreleased product roadmaps	Confidential
Methodologies	Agile, Scrum, CI/CD pipelines	Publicly listable

The "Restraint of Trade" Doctrine

In many jurisdictions, specifically in states like California (under Business and Professions Code Section 16600), any contract that prevents an individual from engaging in their lawful profession is void. Even in states with more flexible contract laws, courts rarely uphold NDAs that effectively function as non-competes by preventing a developer from listing their core competencies.

Action Item: Review your NDA for a "carve-out" clause. Most well-drafted agreements explicitly state that the NDA does not prevent the employee from disclosing their general knowledge, skills, and experience.

How to Safely Describe Your Experience

You can demonstrate your expertise without exposing your former employer to risk. The goal is to focus on the "how" and the "what" without revealing the "secret sauce."

Best Practices for Resume Writing

Focus on the Stack: List the languages, frameworks, and cloud providers you used. These are industry standards and are not confidential.
Describe Scale: Use metrics like "managed a database with 50TB of data" or "optimized API latency by 30%." These demonstrate skill without revealing proprietary business logic.
Avoid Specifics: Do not mention internal project codenames, specific client names if they are confidential, or proprietary architectural diagrams.
Generalize Processes: Instead of saying "I built the secret X-Algorithm for Company Y," say "I developed high-performance data processing pipelines using Python and Apache Spark."

Step-by-Step Process for Compliance

Audit your NDA: Identify the specific definition of "Confidential Information."
Identify the Tech: List the technologies you used. If they are publicly available (e.g., AWS, Docker), they are safe to list.
Draft your bullet points: Focus on the problem-solving aspect of your role.
Review for "Trade Secrets": Ensure no proprietary algorithms or non-public business data are included.

Key takeaway: If you are ever unsure, err on the side of describing the technology and the outcome, rather than the specific implementation details of the employer's internal systems.

When to Seek Legal Counsel

If your employer has threatened legal action or if your NDA contains unusually restrictive language—such as a clause that claims ownership of all "knowledge acquired during employment"—you should consult with an employment attorney. While these clauses are often unenforceable, they can create significant stress and potential litigation costs.

Action Item: If you are currently in a negotiation or feel your NDA is overly broad, document your concerns in writing and keep a copy of the original signed agreement in a secure, personal location.

How TermScore Can Help

Navigating the fine print of employment contracts can be daunting, especially when your career mobility is at stake. TermScore uses advanced AI to analyze your employment agreements, instantly highlighting restrictive covenants, overbroad confidentiality clauses, and potential risks to your professional future. By identifying these issues before you sign—or helping you understand your existing obligations—TermScore empowers you to make informed decisions about your career path with total confidence.