I applied through a recruiter. The process took 2 weeks. I interviewed at Northwestern Mutual in Feb 2013
Interview
They are very careful to avoid the word "sales" in the interview process. Even when I asked them what financial representatives do, they said you look over their investments and give them advice on it. Let's be clear- this is a SALES position. And you have to sell to friends and family, many of whom will ignore you thereafter.
As far as the interview process itself, they conduct group interviews in stage one. Then, you have an individual interview. Then, you put together a little slideshow to present why you are "worthy" of working for them.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
They ask you to provide them, a sales company, with a list of 200 contacts from your personal network. You have to provide them with telephone numbers and email addresses which they can use to contact your friends and family at any time.
There were four or five interviews, if you count the meeting with my future mentor. There were also a few personality assessments. Lots of paperwork. The finance industry is tightly regulated.
The first interview was easygoing and went fairly well. We talked a little on myself and what northwestern was all about. Because they wanted to see how I could fit in to their team and what I would bring.
I interviewed at Northwestern Mutual (Greenville, SC)
Interview
The process was smooth and straight forward. A lot of behavioral based questions, but relaxed and low stress. First phase is a phone screening followed by a teams or in person meeting.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Tell me about the most influential person in your life?