Non-compete's are very difficult to enforce unless they are very specific.
A general non-compete is practically worthless.
You are still free to work for a competitor's company, and the previous company would have to prove damages - very difficult.
They would have to prove it truly is a competitor. I.e., you work at McDonald's then go to Burgerking. Is selling a Whopper the same as selling a Big Mac? What if you went to Taco Bell from McDonald's? Is selling food different than selling food?
The only good non-compete's I have seen are at the high level executive level where they specifically spell out which companies are off-limits and financial damages are spelled out.

