I had a great deal written out to describe the whole process but my browser wiped it all out so I'm going to try and streamline it: Came across Northwestern Mutual recruiting on my college campus for their internship position. I gave them my resume and they soon contacted me to set up a group information session. In the group information session, you sit in a room with 5-10 others where they talk about the program. It is essentially a regular position with some extra training for the students. You get paid for training and licensing. However, they also make it clear that it's a sales/commission based job which means it'll require personal and networking skills as well as your personal effort. They then go around the room and see who is interested in continuing. If you are interested, you have to create a 5 minute presentation about Northwestern and why you want to join them and present it at a 1 on 1 interview. This will test your presentation and communication skills. After the presentation, there are more questions gauging how interested you are in moving on. If you're still interested, you are given a test where you have to have 6 people to take a survey about their opinions of financial representatives, 5 personal and 1 mostly unknown person. Along with the survey, you ask the surveyees to give you 5 references which will serve as your starting point on making your sales rounds. You're given from 1 - 2 weeks for this. (this is where my process ended) Once you complete that, you are set up with a 1 on 1 interview with the area's intern adviser where they will talk about your survey results and more questions about joining. I believe that it's about this point where they will decide whether or not to offer you the position. It's a pretty intensive process taking 3 weeks to a month with background and drug tests too but it's meant to separate those who are merely interested and those who are really dedicated to it. The process is also meant to start you off on good footing and know what to expect if and when you are offered the position. To comment on the difficulty rating, it can range from very easy to very difficult depending on your skills and personal contribution and dedication to it.