45 Northwestern Mutual

In Search of the Best and the Brightest

Number of undergraduate campuses where the employer actively recruited during the 2005-06 school year: 470

Number of undergraduate campuses where the employer extended entry-level job offers to graduating seniors: 300

Number of applicants from all sources (on-campus recruiting, job boards, company Web site, etc.) for entry-level jobs in calendar year 2004: 4600

Number of applicants from all sources for entry-level jobs in calendar year 2005: 4600

Note: Annual average.

Entry-level hires in calendar year 2004: 1295

Entry level hires in calendar year 2005: 1224

Note: Independent contractors affiliated with branch offices, not employed by Northwestern Mutual.

Percentage of 2004 entry-level hires who were former undergraduate interns: 16

Percentage of 2005 entry-level hires who were former undergraduate interns: 15

Percentage of 2006 entry-level hires (to date) who were former undergraduate interns: 7

Note: Based on full-time contracts YTD; does not include former interns hired in July and August.

The three most important characteristics for entry-level applicants:

1-Entrepreneurial Spirit
2- Communication skills
3- Work experience

The Freshman Class

Percentage of new hires from calendar year 2005 who are minorities:6

Percentage of new hires from calendar year 2005 who are female: 11

Percentage of 2005 entry-level hires with degrees in the following areas of study:

Business: 60
Engineering: 0
Liberal Arts: 20
Other: 20

Show Me the Money...and the 401(K)

Average annual base salary (excluding overtime, bonus, and other compensation) for entry-level employees hired since Jan. 1, 2006: $40,000 to $44,999

Percentage of new entry-level hires since Jan. 1, 2006, with annual base salary in the following ranges:

Less than $35,000: NA
$35,000 to $39,999: NA
$40,000 to $44,999: NA
$45,000 to $49,999: NA
$50,000 to $54,999: NA
$55,000 and above: NA

Did half or more of all entry-level hires since Jan. 1, 2006 receive a signing bonus? No

Are entry-level hires eligible for performance bonuses in their first year on the job? Yes

Percentage of 2006 entry-level hires employed on an hourly basis (eligible for overtime): 0

Note: Financial representatives are compensated on a commission basis

Percentage of 2006 entry-level hires employed on a salary basis (not eligible for overtime): 0

Note: Financial representatives are compensated on a commission basis

Does the employer reimburse employees for educational expenses? Yes

If so, are employees eligible for educational reimbursement immediately upon hire? Yes

Number of paid vacation days new hires receive:

In their first year on the job:0
After 3 years: 0
After 5 years: 0
After 10 years: 0

Note: Financial representatives are independent contractors.

Do entry-level hires have access to an employer-sponsored health plan? Yes

Do employees pay part of the cost through payroll deductions? Yes

Does the health plan provide dental coverage? No

Does the health plan provide vision coverage? No

Note: A healthcare reimbursement account is provided to full-time financial representatives in lieu of dental and vision coverage

Do entry-level hires have access to a 401(k) savings plan? No

If so, number of months employee must work before becoming fully vested in the 401(k): NA

Maximum company match as a percentage of salary: NA

Percentage of salary employee must set aside to receive maximum company match: NA

Are entry-level hires eligible for an employer-funded pension? Yes

If so, number of months employee must work to become fully vested in the pension plan: 60

Are entry-level hires eligible for a profit-sharing plan? Yes

Number of months employee must work to become fully vested in the profit-sharing plan: 60

Annual paid holidays: 0

Do employees receive paid time off for religious observances? No

Number of days per year allowed for religious observances: NA

Number of paid sick/personal days entry-level hires receive in their first year on the job: 0

Is flex time an option for entry-level employees: Yes

Note: Financial representatives are independent contractors.

Paid maternity leave (in days) for employees on the payroll:

Less than a year: 0 days
3 years: 0 days
5 years: 0 days

Note: Financial represenatives are independent contractors.

Does your organization match charitable gifts made by employees? Yes

Does your organization pay relocation expenses for new hires? No

Employees receive discounts for:

Car rentals: Yes
Cell phone/services: Yes
Cultural events: Yes
Gym memberships: Yes
Insurance: Yes
Publications: Yes

Cubicle Culture

Average number of hours worked per week by entry-level hires, including overtime: 60

Does the average vary depending on business unit or department? No

Does the organization periodically monitor employee e-mail? Yes

Note: As required by industry regulation

Does the organization periodically monitor employee Web usage? Yes

Typical dress code for new hires: Business Casual Formal

Does the organization sponsor employee volunteer opportunities? Yes

Employee day care is: not offered

Fitness facilities are: available at some locations

Training and Mentorship

Does this organization have a formal orientation program that is required of all new hires? Yes

Number of days the program lasts: 15

The program includes: Computer Training, Diversity Exercises, Tour of facilities, Guest Speakers, Team Building Activities

The program also includes: Sales cycle, product training

Average amount spent on training, per new hire, in calendar year 2005: NA

Does this organization have any formal leadership or management development programs for entry-level employees that last a year or more? Yes

The program selected to describe in further detail: Leadership through Excellence Achievement (LEAD)

Do entry-level job candidates apply directly to this program? No

If not, eligibility is determined by: , Performance, Sponsor, ,

When are new hires first considered eligible: Within First Year

Is the program rotational? No

Number of locations or business units the employee spends time at: NA

Length of program: 104 weeks

Percentage of employees offered permanent positions after completing the program: 25% to 50%

After completing the program, do employees who are offered a permanent position receive an automatic raise? Yes

Note: Management compensation is based on total productivity of the specific unit.

Typical raise: NA

Does this organization have a formal mentorship program? Yes

If so, Percentage of entry-level hires who participate in the mentorship program: 100

Looking Ahead

Three-year retention rate: 17%

Five-year retention rate: 17%

Merit raises are determined by: Commission and renewal growth , Other

Date at which most entry-level hires are eligible for their first merit raise: One-year anniversary

Promotions are determined by: Performance, Leadership skills, Other

Date at which most entry-level hires are eligible for their first promotion: Field management roles are filled based on demonstrated performance and leadership

Frequency with which entry-level hires are formally evaluated: Varies

Three most important performance measures for entry-level hires:

1- Sales
2- Efficiency
3- Effort

Minimum tenure (in years) required in one position before most entry-level employees are eligible to apply for another, including lateral transfers: 0

The following rules apply to such transfers: Field management roles are filled based on demonstrated performance and leadership

Number of employees at or above the level of vice-president: 327

Note: Managing Partners and Managing Directors used in lieu of Vice President and above

Of those employees, the number who have been with the organization for 20 years or longer: 164

Age of the youngest employee at or above the level of vice-president: 26

Number of years he/she has been with this organization: 4