Smoke & Mirrors: Just know you are entering an unpaid internship even if you go the "full time" route - Financial Advisor Northwestern Mutual Employee Review

1.0
May 1, 2018
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

You will learn a lot about how the financial services industry works. You will learn a lot about permanent insurance... then you will learn enough to realize that most people are better fit in term... then you will learn how an annual renewable term policy will eventually force people into term... by then you will likely have left the industry or moved to a company that doesn't ask you to survive by overselling every prospect you meet.

Cons

You will learn a lot about how the financial services industry works. The sad truth is you will give this career more effort than anything you have ever done, and you will likely make no money. - Hours are 12 hours a day because people can't meet during the day while they are working - You have to call people you know. Unless you have a contact list of 500 people who are wealthy and looking for a young inexperienced financial advisor you will not make any money. - The entire sales process takes too long for a digital age where you can go download an app and invest for free with an actively managed portfolio. GO GET A JOB THAT YOU CAN LEARN WHILE ALSO BEING ABLE TO PAY YOUR BILLS. I can't stress enough how risky this job is to take. If pushing permanent insurance on people who don't need it (unless you are maxing out your 401k and roth options) then this is the job for you. They will sell you the world and suck all of your contacts out before you finally have to switch jobs because you maxed out every line of credit. There are plenty of jobs in this industry that will pay you. If you work downtown you will have to pay over $180 a month if your downtown or in La jolla just to park. You also have to pay to validate your client's (more like prospective client's who won't ever become clients) parking which is $10/hour... so the 3 meetings of 1 hour parking is $30 in parking all to have a 45% chance (if you are amazing) to make a sale that yields on average $200... They will tell you the average agent does 2K sales but only 10% of the agents in their first year actually average that. You also have to account for your health insurance costs... which aren't cheap. Oh, and you have to pay to rent your desk each month starting in year 2.... right about the same time all your policies start lapsing because people who gave you "favor lives" as they call them decide they never really wanted what you sold them because they are 22 and have no need for it...

Explore other reviews about Northwestern Mutual

5.0
Jul 13, 2026
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

The company has an immense amount of resources to help employees be successful. They also invest so much into the professional development of their employees.

Cons

It's not an easy role to be in. You have to take personal risk and step out of your comfort zone. There's a lot of ups and downs in the role

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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