An American Expat View - Brief Article

Training & Development, July, 2001 by David Beadles

For the past two years, I've worked as an American expatriate in two different European capitals. I've traveled to all of the major European cities for business and fun. I've eaten delicious food, drunk exquisite wine, met all sorts of people, and even managed to save some money. But I'll soon be unemployed and must make a decision: return to America or make my own way here in Europe? It's a predicament because, in a way, expats have it all: paid moving expenses, housing and cost-of-living allowances, full U.S. salary and bonus, tax equalization, trips home, and even a car and gas.

If you want to work in Europe, your best bet is to land a job in America with an international company. Work hard, make your goals clear, and seize the opportunity when it comes along. Or you can move to your favorite European city and look for a job upon arrival.

Here's what you'll need to do.

Find an employer. If you think your college education, 10 years' professional experience, and basic Spanish mean a lot to Europeans, forget it. You're in the job market of the European Union, which pulls people from all over Europe, including Ireland, Spain, and Greece. These people are better educated, speak more languages than you have fingers, and are inexpensive labor. You had better have an unbeatable skill or contact.

Get your work permits and resident authorization. So, you found a job. Great, but if your company isn't greasing the skids, you'll spend hours and days in bureaucratic lines to get the right forms.

Negotiate your salary. After nearly a decade of unrivaled economic growth, American salaries are fat. The typical U.S. manager makes twice as much as his or her European counterpart.

Figure out the taxes. Europe is made up of progressive nations looking out for the common good. They do that through taxes of 50 percent or higher. On the bright side, you get four to six weeks of vacation. Just be sure to pack a tent on your bicycle, because that's all you'll be able to afford.

Even so, I still recommend working as an expat in Europe. Where does that leave me? Simple: If I don't find an employer soon who can come close to my current package, it's bon voyage. If I can't afford the food, wine, and travel, why stay?

David Beadles, originally from Washington D.C., is a telecom marketeer with past working stints in Munich and Geneva. He's in Brussels now, but hopes to take on a new opportunity in Berlin soon.

Expat and Passport contributor David Beadles says his claim to fame (as our infamous Contributors Questionnaire asks) is that he was the proud winner at a collegiate "Do Anything for Money" party, but he doesn't want to elaborate. His philosophy bumper sticker about life reads: "11 laughed, I cried, "I liked it better than Cats."