Will hedge fund wait for candidate with non compete(middle/back office role)

Currently work for a local hedge fund with long non compete clause for middle/back office(not SWE) role, which is up to 12month. Will other hedge fund/prop firm willing to wait for candidates like me for a middle office/back office role ( for trader I think it is totally fine) for a year or so?

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I'm assuming you're early or mid career? If you're truly middle/backoffice, there is a good chance your old company will negotiate a deal to let you out early, maybe sit out 3 months or something. But you have to leave on good terms -- I'd approach your boss and say you'd like to wrap up things nicely and you're willing to give them several months notice to find a replacement in exchange for reducting the non-compete period. I think there's a decent chance they'd let you go free after 6 months or so (maybe 3 months of working at your old company while you train your replacement, and maybe 3 months of non-compete after that). 

 As for your new company -- don't lie about the non-compete if asked, but if they don't ask, I wouldn't bring it up until after they make an offer. Once they've agreed to make an offer, they will feel psychologically committed to you enough they'll at least *consider* waiting for your non-compete; but if they have to think about the non-compete before making the offer then they won't even make the offer. If they ask, tell them the truth: "It's a one-year non-compete, but I have a good relationship with my boss and I'm hoping I can negotiate something shorter."

 

That long of a non-compete is unduly burdensome for a non-revenue generating role. Hire a lawyer and tell him to find a way out of it. As mentioned above, try to leave on amicable terms but use the lawyer as a fail safe if things go south and they want to enforce it. Surely, foregoing a year's worth of compensation is excessive. If they are willing to put you on garden leave then clip the pay stub and chill for 12 months. Start a new search in 6 months. Land offer 3 months thereafter. You're living well.

With that being said, there is always middle ground. 

 

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