Don’t even think about being a rep. It’s not what they’re telling you it is. - Financial Representative Northwestern Mutual Employee Review

1.0
Nov 29, 2018
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

-Supportive coworkers -knowledgeable management -occasionally given bonus payments for hard work ($300 if you meet with 5 people a week I believe- you need to reach out to strangers to set up meetings.) an occasional Starbucks gift card. -excellent regular training -you make our own schedule but will regret not being as productive as you can be

Cons

-Financially this is a horrible decision- do not make the same mistake I did, you will fall behind on bills doing this job if you do not have about 5 people per month who will buy insurance from you. They will offer you a “529 account” and make you believe this is a “paycheck,” it is not a paycheck, IT IS A LOAN that gains interest- yet you will be told there is no interest. You need a literal loan to work here and pay your bills at the same time. My credit score fell over 100 points from working here and not being able to afford my own bills. They ask for your budget and only offer to “pay” about 60% of it as “motivation for you.” I will be paying for working here literally and figuratively for YEARS. -required to sell insurance to your friends and family. This will damage your relationships. People will avoid you. NM is essentially a legal MLM. Management will convince you that if your friends don’t buy from you they weren’t your friends. You literally go through intensive training in which you are trained to push past peoples “no” responses and you are required to continue to harass the same people multiple times a week to meet with you and buy your insurance. -they do not tell you the exact job duties until you are done with your first few weeks of training. THERE IS A REASON FOR THIS. Nobody wants to join a company to sell insurance, they write it off as “helping people build a financial plan” yet there is no concern for anyone’s financial stability aside from insurance (life and disability) and investments once you are licensed. -the “leadership team,” specifically the higher up reps who have been there for a while will join you on meetings with the friends and family who agree to meet with you, they will take half your commission if a sale is made, and once you (as a new and struggling rep) have finally had enough and decide to quit, they will continue to receive regular commissions on your clients and you will not. This is how higher up reps succeed.

Explore other reviews about Northwestern Mutual

5.0
Jul 6, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Work Life Balance, Benefits, Diversity in NY office

Cons

Long term strategy, priority, unclear.

5.0
Jun 17, 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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