Northwestern Mutual Reviews

Pros

Did learn a lot about the insurance industry and also all the different types of insurances. Also learned how to avoid salespeople.

Cons

Pay only based on compensation
Had weekly meetings in which everyone picked apart your weekly numbers
Must be licensed before starting work

Pros

This is an excellent place to cut your teeth, so to speak. You will learn all you need to know about the sales cycle and about the products you are selling. They have a proven system that works if you stick to you (and with a little luck).

Cons

The primary downside to this position is the pay. At 100% commission, it is quite difficult to make, or maintain, a living. My office gave monetary incentives for certain numbers along the way, but they were quite difficult to reach.

Advice to Senior Management

I believe it's a great company, but sometimes I believe that you force your own products too much, rather than finding the right product and cost for clients.

Pros

Wide range of products and services
Online learning resources

Cons

Lack of guidance from most senior employees who are mostly self-centered
Most reps are mostly concerned about sales rather than doing what's best for the client
Low standards of knowledge

Advice to Senior Management

Evaluate the performance of the reps beyond just the bottom line productions. Look at other factors such as client retention, training, higher standards of knowledge, staff development and satisfaction

Pros

The sales training is extremely valuable, not to mention the fact that the people skills and communication skills learned are vital to most careers.

Cons

The pay is commission only, so that sucks pretty hard, and the leads are generated by you, and only you.

Advice to Senior Management

The leadership here is pretty competent, kudos to them for that. Some of them need to avoid the high and mighty attitude that they can get when dealing with new reps, but other than that their good to go.

Pros

Northwestern Mutual had excellent training. They put a lot of resources into giving their new employees all the information they need to get started in the business. The employees project a feeling of great pride working for Northwestern Mutual. They all consider it the very best insurance/financial company in the world, and they very convincing data to prove it. They provide a game plan for success that will work if you can meet the daily, weekly, monthly goals. It is a competitive environment, but employees do not fight over customers and senior employees are always willing to help somebody new.

Cons

Insurance and finance is a hard job to get into right out of college. It is hard for a young person to sit in front of people with families and established careers and give them financial advice. Unlike most companies Northwestern does not pay for any travel or training once you've started with the company, everything must come out of pockets. After your first year you must start paying rent and dues for resources that you use. Although you can technically make your own hours, they expect a 7:30AM-7:00PM work day every day. Although Northwestern has financial services the company is really based around insurance and pushing insurance products.

Advice to Senior Management

Northwestern Mutual is a great company, but it takes a certain type of person to be successful in the insurance world. It is difficult to get into insurance when all of your friends are still just establishing themselves in their own careers, and are not yet considering long-term savings. Make sure to really negative sell how difficult this job can be.

Pros

Great company, if you're good at connecting with clients you can make a lot of money
Very flexible work environment

Cons

You have to build up your own client base which can be pretty difficult unless you have a lot of connections

Advice to Senior Management

Be more open from the beginning about what you're doing. Northwestern Mutual sells some great products and people need to get over their initial view of sales, which is often negative

Pros

Great company with great values. Everyone truly cares about their job.

Cons

Tough to start your own business and build clientele

Pros

company culture, developing experience & sales skills for an entry level position, fair, career building,professional environment, prestige of company

Cons

dependent on the Rep you work for, growth is limited by who you work for

Advice to Senior Management

None. It's all dependent on the Rep you work for and your skills. Home Office is AMAZING.

Pros

-Opportunity to make a LOT of money, IF you can last through years of commission ups and downs
-Management is extremely supportive if you are willing to work hard
-Excellent company with an excellent reputation

Cons

-100% commission
-Extremely early mornings for at least 3 years, for no apparent reason
-Extremely competitive within the workplace - so if you aren't competitive, this isn't for you
-Must make very awkward "dials" literally 100 times per day if you want a chance at success

Advice to Senior Management

Management is great

Pros

Unlimited earning potential, tremendous freedom in hours since you're "starting your own business" hence you are your own boss. Great place to work if you're looking for a long-term career opportunity and are willing to work long and late hours. Solid compensation and fantastic retirement plan.

Cons

Not a great leadership structure as you're basically on your own from day one minus quick weekly meetings and once a month career development meetings. Not much guidance from managers as they are tending to their personal business development before helping new reps. A lot of driving and long hours with a high stress level.

Advice to Senior Management

Give more of a helping hand to new reps and don't just throw them to the wolves after Sales School. More of an "Open Door Policy" among longer tenured reps would help.