Possible Capgeminer, unfortunately, I think you are contradicting yourself. You initially say that you are very flexible and embrace the consulting culture of working away from home, and working to close deadlines (i.e. to quote many a consultant 'Work hard, play hard.') And then you're concerned about whether consulting firms recognise people's work-life balance on matters such as travel and working away from home? Sorry but that in my book is a contradiction. Just be careful at the interview if you bring this up. If it were me interviewing you, and you said this, I'd be concerned, especially given that you're a grad. Our policy on all consultants in consulting (irrespective of grade) is that they be uk mobile. Some firms extend this even further to Europe or even globally.In all honesty, all consulting firms, even the Accentures, Mckinseys, BCG's etc. with whom most people say that they don't care about their people's well-being, are not heartless and do in fact take a lot time and also money to ensure that their people are as happy as they can be. All consulting firm's need to show that they care about their people, since the nature of consulting dictates, that a consulting firm's main asset is their people. If they don't, then people vote with their feet and simply leave and take all their knowledge and expertise. Then one needs to replace the void via recruiting, which everyone knows is very expensive and a huge drain on a firm's resources.At the end of the day flexibility means that one has a say on one's project (note this does not mean location and being 30 mins away from client site, so one can sleep in till 8am) and role, which contributes to one's career development. This is what I interpret as flexibility, rather than being pushed around from one project to another by schedulers, as if one is a faceless resource. You'd find that most consulting firms have this outlook. If you can put up a good business case for working on a particular project/role as opposed to another, which contributes to the career development/firm/client/project objectives/generates revenues then any partner who is pragmatic and reasonable will agree to such a scheduling.When one is a bit older (and wiser, and probably a thining or receding hairline :-)) then other priorities, such as a young family, do tend to come into the equation. In such incidencies, then understandably, one may have an issue with being away for so long. Usually, by then such a person with about 10+ years experience, who is at least a Manager, given their experience and their typical roles etc. (i.e. less hands on) may use some leverage to stay close to home, at the sacriface of the ideal role. I think that in such cases, most firms would accomodate this. Although, some are more accomodating than others. But usually, if one does a particular role and does a partner a favour (i.e. working for six months in the north on a critical role on a really hard project which isn't very interesting (probably government! :-))), then that favour is usually remembered for scheduling of future roles, performance and pay reviews.What you are saying, is probably a concern, but it needs to be framed in the right context. But also, I believe that such a concern should only be warrented by those who are a bit older, have a family and have done their bit, and worked away from home, when they were junior consultants, as opposed to a new grad, who is suppose to be fresh and eager. I know that this last statement will be controversial and some people may well disagree with me.
