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T2 (Germany) vs. T2 (ME)

Hi everyone,

I’m evaluating two offers after completing my MBA at a top EU business school. I have 8 years of experience at a Big4 firm and am looking to optimize both financial gains and long-term career prospects. I'm an EU citizen.

The first offer is from a Tier 2 consulting firm (similar to Oliver Wyman/Roland Berger) in Germany, with a total compensation of €180K gross and a €25K signing bonus. The role is Project Manager.

The second offer is from another Tier 2 firm (like S& or Kearney) in Middle East, with a total package between €180K and €200K and a €60K signing bonus. All these figures are net values. However, the position is one level below Project Manager.

While the Middle East offer is clearly financially more attractive, I’m wondering if starting as a Project Manager in Germany might give me a long-term edge, particularly with potential exit opportunities.

Would appreciate any thoughts or advice.

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Top answer
Daniel
Coach
on Nov 12, 2024
FREE 15 MIN CALL | ex-Strategy& Manager & Interviewer | Non-Traditional Path | 50+ Coachings

Congratulations! A few things to consider: the tax-free lifestyle of ME can be a double-edge sword (powerful to have and detrimental to leave). Second, starting at a higher level may not always be advantageous - it depends on your readiness to the role and your level compared to your peers. Some enjoy that challenge others do not. Recommend thinking beyond just 2-3 years to 5+ to see which can best position yourself. This is a good problem to have. Good luck!

Alessa
Coach
on Nov 12, 2024
xMcKinsey & Company | xBCG | +200 individual & group coachings | feel free to schedule a 15 min intro call for free

Hey!

Given your goals, starting as a Project Manager in Germany could provide stronger long-term career prospects and smoother EU exit opportunities. While the Middle East offer is financially appealing, it may be worth considering the benefits of entering at a higher level in a stable market. From my experience, including time at BCG in Dubai, I’ve seen that ME roles can offer rapid financial growth, but transitioning back to Europe might be easier from Germany, especially at a PM level.

Best, Alessa 

Dennis
Coach
on Nov 13, 2024
Roland Berger|Project Manager and Recruiter|7+ years of consulting experience in USA and Europe

Hi there,

Congratulations on your offers. Working in ME, you'll have pretty much double the net income compared to Germany for the same kind of work. So even if you just spend 2 years in ME, you'll get ahead a lot faster financially. 

As for the difference in roles and exit opportunities, it depends on how long you want to be in consulting really. You could stick it out in ME until you make project manager there as well and then look for exits from that jump-off point. In Germany, the next career stage would already be Principal or Junior Partner (depending on the firm). That's where the job description drastically changes anyway and you will have to want to transition into a sales role in order to stay in this line of work.

So both options will boost your CV - one of them increases your net worth a lot faster than the other. With both experiences you will find other jobs in Europe in the future. 

Since you applied to the ME company in the first place, I'm assuming you've had good reasons to do so given that you are a EU citizen. So are these reasons still valid? Unless something fundamentally has changed, I would personally choose the option with the significantly higher compensation. But the questions regarding things affecting your personal life, only you can answer.

Best

Florian
Coach
on Nov 12, 2024
1400 5-star reviews across platforms | 500+ offers | Highest-rated case book on Amazon | Uni lecturer in US, Asia, EU

Hi there,

Congrats first of all!

Both are great offers, especially in the current market.

My thoughts (and some questions you need to answer for yourself) besides the points you have already mentioned.

  • What location would you like to live in more short-term, medium-term, long term?
  • Where are your family and friends?
  • While you work a lot in the Middle East, Germany has one of the worst working cultures globally for top-consulting firms. I'd guess you will work longer hours there
  • Consider the implications of working and developing your career in a high growth region vs. slow growth/degrowth region of the world
  • What location would provide you with more freedom and opportunities long-term?
  • How were the people in the recruiting process? Which culture did you enjoy more?

Just some ideas to think about.

Reach out for more personal guidance and help! :-)

Cheers,

Florian

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