[alistairSH]

No, job contracts are pretty rare. At-will employment, where both parties can end employment on zero notice with zero reason (legal discrimination aside), is the norm in the US. Some states (CA being the usual example) have more employee protections, but AFAIK do not require contracts.

Typically, for a white-collar job, you'd interview and receive a job offer contingent on background check and verifying previous employment. That offer would have a salary and start date and that's about it. HR might hand you a benefits package at the same time.

Sometime on or before the first day of employment, you'd be asked to sign NDAs, confirm legal eligibly to work, and similar paperwork, but almost never a contract.

Senior leaders often have contracts because their terms are more complicated - golden parachutes, etc.