Admittedly I'm on the upper end of the experience scale, but I think there's a lot more wiggle room than most people realize. Also, this is a pretty decent litmus test for an organization - I would avoid companies run by their legal departments.
Hold on, everyone! My parent(^) said something simple, yet it is powerful. I don't believe s/he realized they were providing such insightful information, but the little gem that makes a huge difference is in that short quote.
While many companies may not be flexible with their contracts, I love your approach. Surely the odds of success must improve - if only slightly - by simply pointing out undesirable clauses and requesting that they modify and reissue the contract to accommodate, rather than striking it out in red ink yourself and shoving it back in their faces as an ultimatum.
The former tactic de-escalates the issue to being a reasonable request from a respectful person, while the latter comes across as coming from an immovably stubborn personality who may bring a habit of causing drama into the company. Better to politely identify how the employer can effect a positive difference on your end, rather than railing against the company's policies with your demands before you've even been hired. "My way or the highway" doesn't sound very amiable.
How often do companies reject red-inked contracts, not because they are unwilling to amend the contract, but because their intuition has triggered them into avoiding your coarse methods of getting what you want? Seriously, this is quite eye-opening. You've made me rethink my negotiation phase. I will be unapologetically thieving this diplomatic approach for my personal use in the future. Thank you!
In most jurisdictions outside USA, unlimited non-compete and indemnification clauses are not enforceable anyway. Here in Brazil there are special "labor" courts that are very favorable to the employee - most contractors here will countersue in a labor court if the client try to enforce this kind of clause.
It's better to politely request that the "undesirable" (ie: illegal) clauses be removed from the contract, rather than using red ink on the contract you were sent and submitting it as an ultimatum. Either way, you wouldn't work for them unless the changes are made. The result is the same; it's all about how you approach the matter - namely, with diplomatic tact. You give the company a chance to amend the contract in your favour on their end, rather than attempting - and possibly failing - to force their hand with a revised contract on your end.
You might be in a region where such clauses are not enforceable, but if you say "hell no that's illegal!", they'll trash your résumé and hire someone else who doesn't make such a fuss. The person who winds up being hired was just a "better match" and the "position was filled". You could always sign a contract with "unenforceable" clauses without complaining, and hope the law ultimately agrees with you... but do you really want to take the risk of falling on the wrong side of the law?
Put it this way: if you strike out the contract with red ink, here is what the employer sees: "Fuck you, you can't fucking give me fucking clauses like that. It's fucking illegal, so I have fucking stricken out that fucking bullshit clause 2.1, and you had better fucking accept me as a fucking employee anyway, you fucking pieces of fucking shit! Accept the fucking contract I have sent you with fucking red ink, and fucking hire me already!".
Versus: "Section 2.1 would prevent me from seeking employment upon leaving your company. That clause is not legally enforceable, so it would be better for both of us that I not sign this. I will sign a contract with provisions that I will not poach your clients or work for a direct competitor in your field for a period of X time. If you could please revise the contract, I will sign it and you will have me as your newest employee!"
So what if you calmly request these changes be made, and the company refuses to make the amendments to your contract? Of course you refuse to work for them. Maybe even sue for their illegal practices if you can afford the legal fees. The idea is not to accept unacceptable contractual terms. The point is to allow the company to believe they are accommodating your polite requests, rather than you having made non-negotiable demands as an ultimatum. It's a mind game that gives the illusion that the company is is control, while you hold all the cards.
The end result is the same. Either you will accept the contract or you won't. You're just being diplomatic, attempting to elicit a reaction from the employer that is in your favour, rather than making the scenario a one-sided "my way or the highway". Let the company believe they are obliging you instead of crumbling under pressure.
