What constitutes a trade secret versus a general skill?

A trade secret is information that derives independent economic value from not being generally known. General skills involve proficiency in widely available software, methodologies, or industry-standard tools that are transferable across employers.

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

Focus on the 'what' and 'how' of your proficiency rather than the 'why' or 'internal specifics.' Use industry-standard terminology, describe your functional role, and avoid disclosing proprietary configurations, internal project names, or sensitive 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 legally restrict me from mentioning company tools on my resume?

Generally, no. An NDA cannot legally prevent you from listing standard industry tools or software on your resume. It can only protect proprietary trade secrets, confidential source code, or non-public internal processes. You have a legal right to document your professional experience and skill set for future employment.

Key takeaway: Courts consistently rule that an employer cannot claim ownership over your general knowledge, skill, or experience. If a tool is commercially available, you are free to list your proficiency with it.

Understanding the Scope of Confidentiality

Employment agreements often contain broad language, but legal enforceability is limited by public policy. An NDA is designed to protect the employer's competitive advantage, not to prevent you from earning a living. When you list a tool on your resume, you are demonstrating your professional capability, which is a protected interest.

What You Can Safely List

Industry-Standard Software: Tools like Salesforce, Jira, AWS, or SAP are public knowledge.
Methodologies: Agile, Scrum, or Six Sigma are professional frameworks, not company secrets.
General Responsibilities: Describing your role (e.g., 'Managed cloud infrastructure') is standard practice.

What You Must Keep Confidential

Proprietary Source Code: Specific algorithms or internal codebases.
Non-Public Data: Customer lists, financial projections, or unreleased product roadmaps.
Internal Configurations: Unique, custom-built workflows that provide a specific competitive edge.

Action Item: Audit your resume. If you are describing a tool, ensure you are focusing on your proficiency with the tool rather than the internal application of that tool at your previous firm.

The Legal Distinction: Skills vs. Trade Secrets

To determine if you are in the clear, apply the 'Transferability Test.' If the knowledge you gained is a general skill that would be useful at any other company, it is likely not a trade secret. If the knowledge is specific to the employer's unique business model and would cause them financial harm if disclosed, it is likely protected.

Category	Examples	Status
General Skills	Python, SQL, Project Management	Safe to list
Proprietary Tech	Custom internal ERP, secret algorithms	Do not disclose
Business Strategy	Client pricing, M&A plans	Strictly confidential

Action Item: If you are unsure about a specific tool, check if it is sold commercially. If it is a commercial product, you are almost certainly safe to list it.

How to Phrase Your Resume to Avoid Liability

The phrasing of your bullet points matters. Avoid mentioning the internal project name if it is confidential. Instead, focus on the functional outcome. For example, instead of saying 'Used Project X to optimize internal logistics,' say 'Utilized enterprise-grade logistics software to optimize supply chain efficiency by 15%.'

Use Generic Terms: Replace internal project names with industry-standard descriptors.
Focus on Metrics: Quantify your impact (e.g., 'Increased output by 20%') rather than describing the proprietary mechanism.
Avoid Specifics: Never include proprietary data, internal URLs, or specific configuration settings.

Key takeaway: Your resume is a marketing document for your skills, not a technical manual for your previous employer's operations. Keep it high-level and results-oriented.

When to Seek Legal Review

If your NDA contains non-compete clauses or unusually restrictive language regarding 'intellectual property developed during employment,' you should proceed with caution. Some aggressive contracts attempt to claim that any knowledge gained during your tenure is company property, which is rarely enforceable but can lead to threatening cease-and-desist letters.

Action Item: If you are concerned about a specific clause, do not guess. Use a tool like TermScore to automatically analyze your employment contract. TermScore identifies restrictive covenants and highlights language that may be overreaching or unenforceable, giving you the clarity you need to update your resume with confidence.

TermScore provides instant, AI-powered analysis of your employment agreements, flagging restrictive clauses and helping you understand exactly what you can and cannot disclose. By uploading your contract to TermScore, you can identify potential legal pitfalls in seconds, ensuring your career progression remains protected while you stay compliant with your obligations.