Financial Rep versus Home Office Employee - Anonymous employee Northwestern Mutual Employee Review

2.0
11 Jul 2017
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

This website does not differentiate between two types of jobs with NM. Here is the difference Financial Rep - a self employed independent contractor licensed to sell NM products and services. This person is not an employee of NM. Home Office Employee - an employee of Northwestern Mutual or a subsidiary, but none of these people sell anything. There is a big difference between being an employee and an independent contractor.

Cons

Financial Rep business is very tough - only one in ten make it to five years. You eat what you kill and get paid on commission. You need to have a lot of self-motivation to make it. Home Office is a giant bureaucratic mess. It works well if you just want to keep your head down and punch the clock, but if you have career aspirations, be prepared for politics, brown nosing and back stabbing.

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5.0
4 Jul 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Great culture, very rewarding and fulfilling career, providing amazing flexibility and recurring income with benefits as you grow your business.

Cons

Challenging to get the business off the ground in the first couple of years, just like they told me that it would be. Need to expect to put in 50+ hours per week in the beginning if you want to thrive but it's worth it.

5.0
17 Jun 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

This internship has allowed me to get real world experience from the very beginning. I've learned how to use LinkedIn Recruiter, make scheduling and screening phone calls, and gotten to shadow the Director of Recruitment during interviews. Compared to other internships that I applied for, Northwestern Mutual has allowed me to have far more exposure to what a real career in recruiting could look like. The office has a great energy and culture, and I am able to participate in fun team events, like going to the Cardinals baseball game. As for career growth, I really admire the emphasis that Northwestern Mutual places on growth and development. Through my time spent around this company, I've been personally and professionally challenged to grow. I've been given books to read, attended leadership meetings, and been given the opportunity to dive deep into my strengths. The management here has encouraged me to explore and shadow different roles to help me make an informed decision about what kind of careers I want to pursue after graduation. Overall, I can't recommend this company enough! They are truly focused on serving their clients well, and developing employees to reach their full potential.

Cons

None, I've had a great experience! This is an environment of growth, so it can require moments of being challenged and stretched to do things outside your comfort zone. I could see some people being uncomfortable with growth, so it's not the environment for everyone! But if you are willing to lean in, it will make such an impact on your life.

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