Northwestern Mutual on hiring spree

“When you combine these sentiments with our study also finding two-thirds of Americans don’t have a long-term financial plan in place, and 7 out of 10 don’t have a financial advisor, the demand is certainly evident,” said Steve Mannebach, Northwestern Mutual’s vice president of field growth and development.

So what attributes are Mannebach and his team looking for in candidates?

• Military veterans seeking a career path that allows them to transfer their leadership skills, discipline and strong desire to help others after their military service has ended. Northwestern Mutual provides veterans with the opportunity to lead a practice and fill an important role — helping people and their families achieve financial security. They also have the opportunity to be an entrepreneur, while continuing to serve and help others.

• Career changers who believe they have reached the ceiling in their current occupation and are looking for a new and different opportunity to grow professionally and personally. Northwestern Mutual expects that 75 percent of newly recruited financial representatives will be professionals seeking a career change.

• College students looking for internships that provide career opportunities to learn from the best financial advisors in the business and a path that prepares them to hit the ground running post-graduation. Northwestern Mutual’s internship program is ranked #1 for students seeking a career in the financial services industry, and the company works closely with college campuses near its more than 350 offices across the county.

Northwestern Mutual is following hiring trends of other industry companies such as New York Life and Prudential.