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^sorry - I don’t know where I got the PwC association from .... on FB too much tonight 🙈
Any Firm will have an incredible HR and other resources at your disposal to discuss options.
Most importantly, I’ve learned, is how you frame it. For me - I wanted to stay with KPMG, and I was vocal about that. Their response: “better to loose you for 3 years than for forever”. Gentleman’s handshake and I was over to Amsterdam within 5 months, for a 3 year contract
I worked at D Netherlands for 2+ years, would be happy to answer questions about work, life there etc. Lots of good (and accurate) advice above. I think the benefits outweigh the inconveniences. Amsterdam is an incredible base from which to explore Europe - I'd drive to Paris for the weekend, not something you can easily do from the UK.
Also look into getting the NL expat tax exemption - you could pay a whole lot less in taxes which in the NL is critical. Highest tax bracket is 52% and starts at €48k last I checked, which is brutal...
Are you also PwC? Sorry was on vacay! Do you mind making a burner, I’ll email you?
Can you apply for a global rotation at your current firm? That'll be a career booster while also getting you closer to SO.
Which country?
There are trade offs. Lower salary but some European countries such as in the Scandinavian countries, Switzerland, etc. have higher overall quality of living, better health care and education than the US. Others such as Italy and Spain have significant structural problems and high unemployment particularly for younger folks. Being able to operate in the local business scene may require fluency in the language, whereas it matters less in other cities.
My brother and sister in law (he’s French) relocated from the the US to Paris 10 years ago. They thoroughly enjoy it but she’s struggled to adapt at times and has had issues with things like labor laws overprotective of nannies who just stopped showing up for work but still needed to be paid.
Watch out for tax implications - EU can take 1/2 your income (Trust inheritance and other) if you can’t prove you were hired by the member firm. Learned this the hard way right before moving to the NL with SO, and hired an expensive tax lawyer to sort it, which delayed relocation by another two months
OP- talk to your HR, and then your PML.
I did the same thing, and get that’s it’s overwhelming emotionally and logistically - but the big4 are unparalleled internationally, which will work to your advantage.
If you’re a high performer, the firm will want to keep you, even if it’s at another member firm.
Check out options for secondment, then rehire by the foreign/member firm, or becoming part of a COE.
PwC has incredible resources to help you, and it’s much easier to move firm to firm than trying to go into industry in a place like the NL where you have to prove such worth to them that they are legally obligated to issue a job opening and then prove only you as an expat had the skills required to fill it.
I’ve worked quite a bit in continental Europe but have only spent about 6 weeks total in the Netherlands. Here are my impressions:
- Amsterdam is one of the great international cities of the world and well above average in welcoming foreigners. The country overall is open, diverse and tolerant and seems to be doing well economically but Amsterdam is where “it’s at”. And I’m not referring to the Red Light District or drug laws though some would include that.
- You can get by with English, which is good for me because Dutch, much like the related Afrikaans, confounds me. That’s much harder for business in France and Germany for instance.
- I don’t have insight on ease of obtaining work visas.
- The country seems to be doing well with bigger upside than Belgium and France career-wise. Germany likely has decent opportunities but the work culture for a non-German is much more challenging there.
- Brexit may present opportunities, and potentially bring more Britons.
- At least the PwC office there has been a pleasure to work out of.
Hi OP. Three years in the NL here. Many trade offs. Great quality of living, but concerns about career progression are valid. Glad to elaborate in private .
Moved to the UK for my SO. I agree with people here about career progressions and salary cuts. But there are a lot of positives too. I feel (and hope) that whenever I get back to the US, i would have, hopefully made a name for myself at the firm. In the long run this should help.
If you like, we can connect. If you are from PwC, I can probably get you in touch with the right people too
Thank you both
@KPMG - heard that process takes minimum 18 months. Thats why thinking of switching from consulting in case industry offers more flexibility in terms of options.
@ PwC - Country would be Netherlands. SO is french. I’v heard moving up the ladder is harder there. Hence wondering about timing for move and set back to my progression. SO is also exploring options in US but would rather stay closer to family in EU and has to go through work visa applications which are harder than my move would be. I’v also been away from family so that doesn’t bother me. Just confused and feel helpless. Been doing the long distance dance for 2 yrs
Thank you KPMG2. Didn’t even think about that
Thank you!
Thank you :)
thank you both (D1 and ATK). really appreciate the advice. From what i gather i should not attempt a switch to industry and that it will be easier to move to a member firm. Taxes can be an issue but there are workarounds. ATK - Id love to get in touch about the career progression bit. I think ppl use burners for this sort of a thing. Please let me know if i can take you up on that offer :)
Thank you! yes, pwc. would love to connect strat&. Please let me know how. My current situation is a little more complicated when thinking through certain other unique factors. Everyone who posted has been super helpful and i definitely have more information than i had before but would be helpful to discuss in more detail
Hey! I dont know why but I never got the notification and after checking first couple of days I wasn’t expecting a response. I just happened to randomly check today. Thank you!! (burner - xyz192837465abc@gmail.com)