Should I sign a contract with a company if they're asking me to sign an NDA for 3 years while working remotely?

The main thing is to understand how broadly the restriction is written. Sometimes "confidential information" is interpreted so widely that you won't even be able to tell anyone what technologies their processes are similar to or what tech stack they use. Three years after you leave is a long time and could prevent you from getting a job at a similar company. Ask them to clarify what specifically falls under the NDA: if it's just details about their product and a client list, that's fine, but if it's literally everything you saw and learned, then it's worth discussing the timeframe or the wording.

Don't rush into panic over a three-year term - it's a long time, yeah, but it's not a disaster for remote work. Here's what you definitely shouldn't do: sign the document "just like that" or think you'll figure everything out later. Three years is a long enough period to understand the terms before you sign, not after.

The thing is, an NDA can be written in different ways. In one case it's just "don't tell anyone about our clients' data," in another it's "don't mention any technological approaches, architecture, even general processes." If the condition is too broad, it'll be hard later to talk about your work experience, share knowledge with friends, ask colleagues for help. So the first step is to read the whole contract and write down exactly which data counts as confidential. If the wording is vague like "anything related to the company," that's a red flag.

Second thing - clarify the company's actual practice. Ask how strictly they enforce the NDA, whether there've been conflicts over it, how they feel about you mentioning the job in your resume or portfolio. A fair employer will have no problem saying the person can mention the tech stack or general projects, but not the details. If the company dodges the question or is strict about everything - that's a hint the terms might not be in your favor.

When I ran into something like this, I immediately paid attention to one thing - check if the NDA has exceptions for information that's already publicly available or that you knew before the contract. A lot of companies forget to spell this out, and then you end up in a weird situation where you're technically violating the agreement just by mentioning something common knowledge. Also, it's important to clarify: does this restriction only apply to work-related stuff or to literally everything, including casual conversations with friends about where you work. When you're remote, the line between personal and work life gets blurry, so the more specific the language, the easier you'll sleep at night afterward.