I've been given a decent offer by Accenture to join their IT strategy outfit.Having worked in industry, other SI's and some of the big 4 - my over-riding reservation is the reputation of the Accenture culture and work life balance.Specifically perception remains that:culture is internally competitive ... not just competitive in the marketwork life - will take all the time you have ... and moreAs I'm not London based - but no doubt would have many clients there ... would they want me there sharp Monday AM, despite a 3.5 hour commute (which appears to be standard class :-( )Would appreciate people's views on this. Reading through the more recent ACN posts, I'm not seeing anything which refutes this ... and possibly further underlines it.Speaking with ACN themselves, I'm not hearing very much either way.

Yes, you'll have to work hard. Yes, you'll have to put in long hours. Yes, Accenture will take everything you have to give. If you're 3.5 hours away from London then turning up at 10:30 wouldn't be out of the question. I was in a project in the North West and I would be at the client site around 9:30am after getting the 6:02 from my suburb in London.By the way, travel policy (or it was as of Jan this year when I left) that if you're working and the trip is over 2 hours you can travel 1st class. The project however, may ask you to travel standard.

Quick related question Frio, based on your ACN experience, and probably relevant to corporatefatigue's OP. If I live 2hrs from London, which is my official base - would you recommend to someone like me to relocate or should I stay put and just travel whichever part of UK that my client maybe? Assuming of course that my travel expenses will be covered by the firm. Thanks

If you're keen to live in London then do it, otherwise I think it's completely do-able to live outside and commute for projects. The downside is that you may be excluded from some projects in London because you'll be more expensive because of the travel and expenses.

Don't forget that not being in London will drastically cut down on your chances to attend the so called social events that Accenture will undoubtedly have aplenty.A lot of career progression happens there.

Thanks Frio, ACN want me in London. So any commute will be done off my own pocket. Also, good point Asterion, London move might be the right thing afterall.

My comment was more of a recommendation not to join altogether :DIf you want to join, wait for the first project to decide where to relocate if at all. Because even within London, you might regret moving to somewhere west if your first project ends up ebing in Canary Wharf or somewhere south if you end up working in Miltone Keynes.

Hi I have my case/executive interview and potentia interview tomorrow. Can you explain about the case interview that you had? whats the case about? Also about the potentia interview?

on case - no prep. you need experience in whatever the case ison potentia - no prep. you need to demonstrate you can think in a very broad sense

It's not possible to prepare for the case interview. If you've made it this far, you must have a decent grounding in IT strategy with past experiences/education. So take in your own stride. It's usually an A4 case where you get 10-15mins to read up on it, and then discuss with your interview on what you took from the case, critical analysis, and recommendation. Be decisive whatever you say, and confident as there's no right or wrong answer. All the best.