Northwestern Mutual

good company. tough industry. you probably won't get any positive responses here.

Any other opinions/insight?

Have you asked any of the newer reps what the attrition rate is? How long is the training and what does it cover? Do commissions represent a large portion of anticipated income? How will you source and build a client base?

Accounting might not be fun, but at least you are being paid to use your mind and are not put in a situation where your personal income needs might be in conflict with a client's best interest. Not to paint with a broad brush, but most accountants I know would not make great sales people. Being able to withstand significant rejection on a daily basis would be key in a position like that. With that said, good sales people tend to make good money. Good luck.

Always been a strong company. When followed them more closely (and was recruited by them), NWM had a serious whole life culture, near cult-like. It has also referred to a "missionary zeal."

Make sure you look around at similar companies, the New York Like, and others. If you plan to start your financial services career in the life insurance area, consider this:

1. The training program is critical. It needs to be organized and administered by a trainer on-site. No off-site internet training nor by phone conference call. Class room setting is key. Other methods are too easy to get avoid and a classroom sets a certain tone.

While having other representatives teaching various aspects is great, a trainer which is paid by the company (not an agent doing it on the side) is key. This person keeps your training on track and is a "go to" person with few conflict of interest. He is separate from your sales manager. You want a person like this as a reference source as your sales manager may "push" you one way to maximize his income. That push might not have the prospects best interest at heart.

2. You want a sales manager you can trust. Good sales managers will keep you on track, make sure the prospect's best interest are center to any presentation, and have the ability to motivate you when the going gets tough..and it will. If you can't respect your manager, then you will become adrift and life really can get difficult.

When I was entering the financial service industry, I called up every major life insurance company in the city along with each major brokerage firm.

I was down to NWM, Met Life, and New York Life. None of the brokerage firms had a training program that interest me and the sales managers were "questionable." Met Life had a good training program and managers but no head trainer. NWM had a great training program, ok manager but the head trainer was new and young. This was the agency's 3rd trainer in four years.

NYL had a good training program, great trainer, and my manager was a perfect fit for myself.

In closing (sorry for the ramble), look behind the company. Trainer, training program and your manager are bigger keys then the company name.