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.
Average interview
Application
I applied through a recruiter. The process took 5 days. I interviewed at Northwestern Mutual in Oct 2011
Interview
Had to take a personality test, that took roughly half an hour, reasonably straightforward. Then went for a 1:1 interview. The interview was behavior focused, questions about life. Selling insurance needs a certain type of person, and this is made abundantly clear during the interview. The recruiter is very polite and seemed to be a very nice person, but it is a tough and competitive business.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
What keeps an company running when the economy was especially bad? (Came about by asking about personal life.)
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?