Do your homework and know why you're coming
Pros
Benefits for staff like allowances for home leave, education and generous annual leave (by US standards). Contractuals don't get any home leave or education benefits. Diversity of staff from various countries and cultures. Your colleagues are genuinely nice people who are intelligent, driven, highly qualified and skilled. Non-managerial staff are passionate and committed to doing the right thing and contributing their best.
Cons
Ridiculously bureaucratic with consensus driven decision making. Significant number of areas lack good leadership. No accountability, which sets the culture for politics and enables egos and individual agendas. Length of service generally 15 years plus and open-ended staff waiting on generous retirement benefits. Other employment types basically waiting in line to become open-ended staff so that they can also enjoy benefits. If you're a non-economist, your career's over. Don't bother. Staff turnover is low. With everyone hanging around waiting for retirement, there are no opportunities for career growth or promotion. If you're contemplating giving up a career and home in another country, know why you're coming to the US (a temporary stay to travel and explore, experience the American culture, etc.) It should not be to develop your career. You better negotiate a hefty salary increase to make it worth your while. You won't be promoted and your salary won't grow (except for 1% annual inflationary increase).
