how much time can I expect to spend away from home

I have just secured a graduate job with a big 5 consultancy, which is due to start in sept. Although the firm is based in London they have said that I could be away mon to fri with clients and longer if they are outside europe. I also expect some of the initial raining to be conducted abroad. Is it worth renting in a flat in London? Or can I expect to be away so much that I will just end up paying rent on a flat I never use? Any advice, much appriecated.

Guy, firstly congratulations on securing the job - no mean feat in the current market! Most consultants tend on average to be away from home for 50% of the year, and I'm pleased to see your new employers have been honest about this. However, precisely because they are away from home so much consultants also tend to REALLY appreciate being back home and having a place to call their own. You need to be well placed for airports and trains, I would personally suggest saving up to buy a place as quickly as possible - so that at least when you are away you don't feel like you're lining someone else's pockets needlessly. Hope that helps, Tony

Guy - your question is incorrect! The first target is your customer - if he will you have 24 h every day and a year - you have to do it. He pays for your work! You can organise your backoffice (this is your home) after some month experience. In this time your flat is your case!

It's completely random as to whether you will spend any or all of your time abroad. You will need to have a place in London. Since starting this grad job in October I have only had one week abroad in France, the rest of the time I have been in London. Colleagues have had weeks here and there in England but at the moment there isn't really much work for new graduates abroad. Even if you do go abroad you will get paid expenses for being out of the country which helps to paying rent in London. You do need a base and I would advise you to get somewhere.