EarniculumAn employment contract is usually signed in a hurry, while relieved. It is worth twenty minutes before that.
The six clauses that matter
Notice period. How long you must give, and how long they must give you. Long notice cuts both ways: it protects you from sudden dismissal and it can make you unattractive to an employer who needs somebody in four weeks.
Probation. A period with shorter notice on both sides. Normal. Check its length and what happens at the end — some contracts require an active confirmation and some pass automatically.
Hours and overtime. What is contracted, whether overtime is paid, and whether there is a clause committing you to "such hours as necessary". That phrase is common and worth understanding before you sign it.
Intellectual property. Who owns what you create. Many contracts claim everything made during employment. If you have side projects, this is the clause to read twice and, if necessary, ask about in writing before signing.
Restrictive covenants. Non-compete, non-solicitation, and similar. Enforceability varies enormously by country and state, but even an unenforceable clause can create trouble and delay when you leave.
Pay and review. The figure, when it is paid, and whether reviews are contractual or discretionary. "Discretionary" means exactly what it says.
Ask before signing, not after
Questions before signing are normal and expected. Questions afterwards have no leverage.
Ask in writing, politely. "Before I sign, could you confirm how the intellectual property clause applies to personal projects unrelated to the company's work?"
If an employer reacts badly to a reasonable question about the contract, that is information about the employer.
Get everything in writing
Anything agreed verbally that matters — remote days, a start date adjustment, an early review, a title — should be in the contract or in an email. Verbal agreements survive exactly as long as the manager who made them.