[JohnFen]

> The original document initially mentioned the 'software industry' and I indicated that by signing it, I would be legally agreeing not to work in the software industry at all.

If that's the clause, then 100% don't sign it. I've never heard of a noncompete that locks you out of an entire industry before. More typically, a noncompete restricts you from working at companies that directly compete with the company hiring you.

Personally, that they'd even ask for something that extreme, even if it can be negotiated to be less onerous, would put me off of working for them. I'd take it as a sign that they're a bad company to work for.