Building an advisory brief candidates actually read
Long memos die in inboxes. A ranked one-pager survives offer week.
Module 8 of German Work Contract Review for New Hires is less about law and more about attention. Candidates under offer pressure skim. Your brief must match that reality.
Three blocks only
Must clarify before signing. Two items maximum. If everything is urgent, nothing is.
Worth negotiating if energy remains. Nice-to-improve clauses that do not block acceptance.
Live with / monitor. Ordinary language for the role, logged for later if facts change.
Cite the clause, not your feelings
Each item should point to a section heading or paragraph number in the draft. Feelings belong in conversation; the document belongs on the page. This separation keeps HR partners and candidates aligned when they forward your note to counsel.
Close with one next action
End with a single scheduled step: “Send the two clarification questions by Thursday” or “Book 20 minutes with counsel on the non-compete.” Open-ended conclusions create drift. Tight endings create signatures — or intentional pauses — with fewer regrets.