I applied through a recruiter. The process took 5 days. I interviewed at Northwestern Mutual (San Antonio, TX) in Mar 2011
Interview
Went through with 3 interviews: two 1:1 and one group. The 1:1 interviews were terribly uncomfortable. I was asked personal questions such as my father's salary, which is completely inappropriate. Extremely persistent with contact. Disliked how I was basically brought in to attract new customers then, following my departure, they were just handed over to a full-time sales representative, even though they stress how "close" you will be getting to these new customers. Required you to get a "license" though it only took one week to acquire. Once licensed, you were out in the real world taking a fine tooth comb to the local area searching for new customers for them - encouraged to ask family and friends. Recruiters seemed to be looking at anyone and everyone, did not appear selective, but did appear very desperate.
Interview process was robotic and not interesting. Met with the branch manager and the entire interview felt off and weird. Can't explain it but it seemed like the manager wasn't interested in anything I had to say.
I applied online. I interviewed at Northwestern Mutual
Interview
Pretty common questions were asked, everything went great however I was looking for more stable income at the time, so I decided to decline the offer given me. Very professional.