July 7th, 2012, 8:42 pm
Firstly, have you accounted for the fact that in any foreign city, even one where you spoke the language you cannot live as efficiently as locals ?The language gap makes that cost difference larger, also get in writing what the healthcare, insurance and other parts of your package are, these are not to be assumed. Also, are you sure the pay really is "competitive locally" ? this may be true, but it is also an industry standard lie, I'm a headhunter and I haven't a clue what the going rate is for people like you in Poland, but even though I don't know a) the number they are quoting, b) the going rate, c) what precisely your skills are I will bet real money HR are lying to you about the going rate, it's their job to lie, they will only tell the truth on pay by accident.Also there will be lies about your return to NYC, these are inevitable and of the form "you'll come back to a good position", "we won't forget you", "this is a good career move within the bank", when in fact you will be forgotten and not only will the person making these promises "forget", good odds they won't be in the same job when you come back.The phrases you will hear in 2 years will be (word for word) "you have to be realistic", "times have changed" and "that's not our policy".That means you must evaluate this job solely on it's own merit, assuming that you will need to find another job in 2 years, treating the case of your firm acting honourably as an unexpected bonus.Assuming the job title isn't a cynical lie (again get his in writing) and be aware that "we will do this next cycle " is another industry standard lie, since your options once you moved will decrease allowing them to say "sorry it didn't get approved by X", where X is someone whose existence wasn't mentioned when you were offered, let alone that he would have a veto.Yes, it is a good way to see Europe, flights are pretty cheap these days and the step up to manager is worth having, but it will not be worth quite as much as if it were in NYC.I sound a bit negative here, when in fact I see this as a positive thing, my reason is that banks routinely shaft people when assigned overseas to a level that seems almost malicious.