Northwestern Mutual - Hoopis Financial Group Career Opportunities

Company:
Northwestern Mutual - Hoopis Financial Group
Company Website(link opens in new window)
Location(s):
Skokie,  IL
Phone:
(847) 663-7000
Industry:
Finance / Banking / Accounting
Size:
100-499

Begin the journey . . . Create your legacy.

Since 1857, Northwestern Mutual has been helping people protect against financial risk and achieve financial security. Harry Hoopis and the Hoopis Financial Group are proud to be part of that tradition.

Harry HoopisHarry Hoopis
Managing Partner

For Harry Hoopis, the ingredients for success are a result of his strong family background. His parents owned a grocery store, worked hard, treated everyone fairly and instilled in Harry the values he holds true today:

Compassion for others.
Excellence in all things.
Persistence in the face of any obstacle.
Purposefulness in every aspect of life.
Leadership.

Harry Hoopis is an icon in the life and health insurance industry. He has been the recipient of Northwestern Mutual's Robert Templin Award for contributions to management development, a Master Award Winner every year since inception and a GAMA Management Hall of Fame Award Winner.

Harry began his accomplished career with Northwestern Mutual Finance Network in 1968 as a college intern while attending the University of Rhode Island. After graduating with a degree in accounting, Harry joined Northwestern Mutual full time. In 1977, he became the company's youngest General Agent (now called "Managing Partner") in Chicago at the age of 30.

Before heading a local network office, Harry Hoopis also served as the Assistant Superintendent of Manpower Development at Northwestern Mutual’s corporate office in Milwaukee. Three years later, in 1977, he was appointed as the Managing Partner in Chicago. In the 25 years since that appointment, the Hoopis Financial Group has experienced phenomenal growth. Harry’s field force increased from 34 representatives in 1977 to over 170 financial representatives.

In addition to the office’s rapid growth, Harry has developed it into a full service network of nearly 250 people in 5 locations offering clients service in personal and business analysis, group insurance, pensions and investments.

With 174 representatives, Hoopis Financial Group is a strong, growing business as evidenced by its most recent financial highlights.

The mission of Harry Hoopis and the Hoopis Financial Group is to provide its clients with expert guidance and innovative solutions that are right for each client. Whether focused on personal finances, business needs or both, they help clients understand their financial goals and ensure they are providing them with the right guidance and products to meet their needs.

Northwestern Mutual Financial Network brings together the skills of representatives, the expertise of advisors and the technical know-how of a number of financial specialists to provide solutions for clients' financial goals and help you gain access to the products and services of a wide variety of organizations—each of which has a comprehensive understanding of a specific aspect of financial services.

And through The Network and Hoopis Financial Group, here are just a few of the products and services available to your clients:

  • Life, disability, and long-term care insurance
  • Mutual funds, annuities, bonds, money markets, stocks
  • Investment and advisory services
  • Trust services, educating funding, retirement solutions
  • Comprehensive financial analysis

Our Expertise
Just as your clients trust and rely on you to provide needs analysis and innovative solutions, you can trust and rely on Harry Hoopis, Hoopis Financial Group and the Network to provide sound products and services for your clients.

You might conclude that no one person can be an expert in all financial matters. At Hoopis Financial Group, we agree. That's why we provide you and your clients with access to a nationwide network of representatives, advisors and specialists who will work with you to provide a full range of services.

At Hoopis Financial Group, our expertise includes:

  • Estate Analysis
  • Long-Term Care
  • Employee and Executive Benefits
  • Investment Services
  • Business Needs Analysis
  • Personal Needs Analysis
  • Disability Income Insurance
  • Advanced Planning

Harry HoopisCommunity Commitment
With a personal commitment to community service, Harry Hoopis and the members of the Hoopis Financial Group support a number of local organizations.

As a "thank you" for Harry's commitment to Cystic Fibrosis, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation recently presented Harry Hoopis with the Founder's Award. He received this honor at the 9th annual Chef's Gala, held February 4, 2006.

Diversity
At Hoopis Financial Group, we are committed to reflecting our community and seek talented individuals who share our core values. As part of our overall growth strategy, we are committed to building and fostering a diverse organization of network representatives and specialists. We do so without regard to gender, race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, disability or age.

We take pride in our unique strengths and the expertise we share with our clients. Our entire community can benefit from our expertise and can be rewarded with the advantages of the careers we offer. We will continue to be committed to reaching all segments of our community in which we live and conduct business.

Meet Managing Partner, Harry Hoopis

Harry HoopisHarry Hoopis resides in Lake Forest, Illinois with his wife Bea. He has two grown children, Krina and Peter, and is a proud grandfather of Alexander.

With a strong family and community commitment, Harry Hoopis established the Harry P. Hoopis Family Foundation, with the purpose to raise money, awareness and hope for a variety of charitable causes.

To demonstrate its appreciation for his continued support and generosity, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation honored Harry Hoopis with the Founder's Award for the ninth annual Fairmont Hotels and Resorts Grand Chefs Gala on February 4, 2006.

Harry Hoopis Golf Outing & Fundraising Event
In August, 2005, Harry sponsored a fundraiser on behalf of For the Fallen. This organization provides financial relief to the families of the soldiers that were killed or severely wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Hoopis Foundation is proud to include this worthy organization as a member of its annual events.

The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
Harry Hoopis is proud to be the title sponsor of the annual Great Strides Walk in Chicago. The 18th Annual Great Strides Walk-A-Thon will be held on May 21st, 2006. It is the largest event hosted by the Greater Illinois Chapter and raised over $1,300,000 for CF research in 2005.

In addition to his own personal commitment, every year the Hoopis Financial Group supports various organizations throughout the Chicagoland area. Here are just some of the organizations the Hoopis Financial Group has assisted:

  • The Winnetka Women’s Club – supporter of variety of children’s charities
  • Harry P. Hoopis Family Foundation Charity Golf Outing
  • Rush North Shore Medical Center
  • Asian Film Festival
  • Lake Forest High School Baseball Team
  • Lake Forest/Lake Bluff Rotary Foundation
  • IPGA (Illinois PGA)
  • Padereski Symphony Orchestra Gala
  • Ascension of Our Lord Greek Orthodox Church Golf Outing

Harry has sat on the board of directors for the Lake Forest Sympathy and Junior Achievement. He has sponsored the Gateway Foundation, which supports teenagers with drugs and alcohol addictions.

Harry has received many prestigious awards throughout his career and is a highly sought-after industry speaker, addressing more than 100 groups around the world in the past five years.

Harry Hoopis became only the fifth recipient of Northwestern Mutual's prestigious Robert Templin Award for significant contributions to management development.

Harry is past president of GAMA International and has been awarded the GAMA International 2004 Master Agency/Firm Award every year since its inception in 1983. In 1996, Harry Hoopis became the fifth recipient of The Robert Templin Award, a Northwestern Mutual recognition for contributions to management development.

Harry is a member of the LIMRA Research Agencies Group and the General Agents Symposium, and he sits on the CAIFA board of directors.

Harry was the 2003 inductee into the GAMA International Management Hall of Fame. This award is presented annually to a leader in the insurance and financial services industry. Harry was honored for his dedication to both industry activities and community affairs.

Harry Hoopis is the principal author of “The Essentials of Management Development”, contributing author to CLU textbooks, the developer of “The Fixed Activity Commitment System” and co-author of the “Sales Focus Workbook.”

With a commitment to excellence in all that he undertakes, Harry Hoopis' energy, attitude and creativity create a culture of dynamic leadership and empowerment, and a formula for success that many strive for, but few attain.

An Opportunity to Succeed

Successful financial representatives with Hoopis Financial Group experience tremendous pride and satisfaction in building a practice from the ground up. Their success is not a factor of luck or chance; it's the result of a productive work ethic, strong relationship skills and a level of professionalism second to none. A mission of doing what's right for our clients is the thread that weaves together our organization.

The goal is not to simply sell products, but to discover clients' needs and help to meet them. That means taking the time to understand each person's financial situation, values and goals.

This career offers:

  • The ability to meet new people and positively impact families, businesses and communities as you help to achieve their goals and dreams
     
  • An entrepreneurial opportunity to own your own business
     
  • A high degree of support and training, plus ongoing curriculum for educational growth and personal development
     
  • The flexibility of a career that allows you to focus on things of importance to you
     
  • Earnings where you are directly rewarded for your efforts
     
  • A strong team culture and the opportunity to work with a variety of specialists and advisors
     
  • Exclusive access to a variety of world-class solutions and services, including life insurance from Northwestern Mutual
     
  • Leadership and development opportunities
     

Your Development
You'll have assistance in developing your business and marketing plans, extensive training and coaching from certified trainers.

New representatives receive initial industry and sales training as well as mentoring and joint work programs for hands-on experience. They have access to on-line education resources for polishing skills and keeping up to date on industry information as well as exposure to opportunities for ongoing career education and advanced professional designations to increase their knowledge and reputation.

Your Business
We know that building your own business is difficult without help. As a financial representative with Hoopis Financial Group, you will be in business for yourself, but not by yourself. Hoopis Financial Group will provide you with support in your training and development, so you don't have to do it alone. Tracy M. Stine

We take pride in our unique strengths and the expertise we share with our clients. Our communities can benefit from our expertise and can be rewarded with the advantages of the careers offered through the Northwestern Mutual Financial Network.

If you're ready to be your own boss, set your own hours and make a positive impact on people's lives everyday, then turn your dreams into reality and find out what a career as a Northwestern Mutual Financial Network Representative with Hoopis Financial Group can do for you.

Discover your potential when you join our team. Recruiter, Tracy Stine looks forward to receiving your application.

The Benefits of Your Success

Your career as a financial representative is what you make of it. You have the freedom to balance your hard work and determination with your personal goals. In the beginning of your career, it takes a tremendous amount of time, energy and commitment to earn the flexibility and financial rewards you will enjoy later on. You can achieve financial independence and have a positive impact on your clients, your family and your own community.

Income
A financial representative's income potential is virtually unlimited. Earnings are directly related to sales results and client relationships. Financial representatives are compensated through commissions, renewals and bonuses.

  • Our top producer group, The Forum, had a median gross income of over $410,800 in 2004.
  • First-year, average gross income during 2002-2004 for financial representatives ranged from $38,900 to $83,900.

Benefit Package
Whether you are single or married with a family, Northwestern Mutual's benefit package will address the various stages of a full-time financial representative's life. These benefits include: Comprehensive Medical Coverage, Retirement, Flex Programs, Childcare/Eldercare, Maternity Leave, Group Life and Accidental Death Benefit, Disability Income Insurance. Your local network office can provide additional information.

Lifestyle
When you invest the time and hard work necessary to build a successful practice as a financial representative, you can enjoy the rare and envied reward of balancing work with your personal goals. You can arrange your schedule so you may have three or four appointments a day, and still have time to participate in your children's school programs, community involvement or leisure-time activities.

Build a business that allows you to schedule meetings to accommodate your clients' schedules and your own.

Impact
The goal of the Network is not to simply sell products, but to discover clients' needs and provide solutions to meet them. That means taking the time to understand each person's financial situation, values and goals. Every solution you implement may help secure the financial future of your clients, their families, their businesses and your community.

You can experience the rewards of a career in which you can have a daily, positive impact on people's lives, including your own.

Meet some of the members of our Team

Successful financial representatives with Hoopis Financial Group experience tremendous pride and satisfaction in building a practice from the ground up. Their success is not a factor of luck or chance; it's the result of a productive work ethic, strong relationship skills and a level of professionalism second to none.

A mission of doing what's right for our clients is the thread that weaves together our organization.

Career Opportunities
Through Hoopis Financial Group, our financial representatives have advancement opportunities into management and specialist opportunities. Learn more about some of our team members:

Dean Haage, Employee Benefit Specialist
As the Employee Benefit Specialist for the Hoopis Financial Group, Dean Haage prepares a comprehensive analysis of a client´s employee benefits program, and then offers solutions to meet the unique needs of that company.

William Tippet, Sr. Investment Specialist, Annuity Specialist
Will Tippet has been a Financial Representative since 1987. He is currently an Investment Specialist with the Hoopis Financial Group specializing in wealth accumulation and investment products.

Melanie Anderson, Investment Specialist
As an Investment Specialist with the Hoopis Financial Group, Melanie Anderson has a broad knowledge base and enjoys working with and establishing long-term relationships with her clients.

Grant D Gier, CLU, ChFC, Estate & Business Planning Specialist
As the Estate and Business Planning Specialist with the Hoopis Financial Group, Grant Gier assists clients with estate, business and executive benefit analysis needs.

Larry A Gilbert, Long-Term Care Specialist
As the Long Term Care Specialist for the Hoopis Financial Group, Larry Gilbert helps individual and corporate clients understand their long-term care insurance needs.

Career Insights
Read what some of the members of Hoopis Financial Group have to say about their careers:

David FainDavid Fain
Financial Representative

When David Fain started his own ice cream business in high school, which grew to help him pay for college, he was unaware that the lessons he learned would be instrumental in getting off to a fast start in a career with the Hoopis Financial Group of Northwestern Mutual.

David spent two years in the consulting business as a Global Marketing Strategist but was unfulfilled and decided to make a change. As a career changer, David knew the challenges would be significant. However, his father gave him some invaluable advice before he started. He said, “Northwestern Mutual has the much deserved reputation as having one of the finest training programs in the industry. Do exactly as they instruct you to do and success will follow.”

After one year of “following the system,” the results far exceeded David’s expectation. Within a year, he qualified for the Million Dollar Round Table, an exclusive honor that is achieved only by a small percentage of all life insurance and financial services professionals worldwide. In addition, he led the company in the central region of the country among his peers. “The support I received from Harry Hoopis, his team and the home office, was instrumental in getting off to a fast start. I recognized early on that if I could get in front of successful people, I had the resources at the office to support me.”

The decision for David to join the Hoopis Financial Group could not have been a better one. The culture, training, mentoring and support have allowed him to grow and succeed to his fullest capability. “The transition from a job to a career is a tough one. Looking back, I could not imagine taking the modest risk that has allowed me to build my business and be a good father, husband and community leader.”


Edward SnobleEdward J. Snoble
Financial Representative

Ed Snoble was an Accountant prior to joining Northwestern Mutual. He always knew he wanted to start a financial practice. Northwestern Mutual was the best fit for him. Read what Ed has to say about his experience.

"So far my most impactful experience at Northwestern Mutual was paying my first death claim. Since life insurance is a critical part of everyone’s financial preparation, I always knew I would have to pay one someday. I just never figured it would be so soon. Also, I never thought it would be one of my friends."

"I have set some very high expectations for myself and my practice. I am proud to say that I have met every goal to date. My most significant goal is to have my renewal accounts be large enough to be able to cover my office expenses and allow my wife to stay home with our children. This will be accomplished over the next five years."


Bradford GrahamBradford Graham
Financial Representative

Bradford Graham was a University Hospital Representative for the largest pharmaceutical company in the world, GlaxoSmithKline. He wanted to match his abilities to help people achieve their goals daily and at the same time learn how to do them for his family and help them as well. He transitioned into a career as a financial representative. Read his words on how he's made a difference.

"While driving home from the annual meeting in Milwaukee in 2004, I heard a breaking story regarding a small plane that just had crashed in a small suburb near my office. It appeared as though the pilot and instructor had been killed instantly."

"I didn’t really pay attention to the story too carefully, but shortly thereafter, the victims’ names were announced and I was soon in the process of settling my first death claim of $1 million."

"The process was extraordinary. In fact, the insured had two children going into college that next month. We were able to wire electronically the entire proceeds into the beneficiary’s checking account. That assured there were enough funds to send the children to school and for the beneficiary to have sufficient dollars to continue the insured’s business."

"I never imagined delivering something like this to a family in such need."

An Award Winning Internship

Whether you know where your college education is taking you or you're still keeping your options open, you owe it to yourself to see if Northwestern Mutual Financial Network's Internship program with Hoopis Financial Group is right for you.

About Your Internship
As you learn by doing, you'll find that the Northwestern Mutual Financial Network Internship Program is an intense and according to our alumni -- unparalleled learning experience. Expect the process to be rewarding, educational and an opportunity for you to narrow your career search.

Our internships provide a great chance for students to combine what they've learned in the classroom with a real-life look into what they could truly make of themselves. You'll have the chance to work in a real-world business environment and earn performance-based compensation.

The ambition of the Northwestern Mutual Financial Network Internship program has been less to sell our financial products than to develop people. As a Financial Representative College Intern, you will enjoy the benefit of working with Hoopis Financial Group where you'll receive outstanding guidance, superior support and quality expertise.

As full-time college students, interns generally work 15 to 20 hours per week developing business- and client-building skills. In most ways, our interns follow the same process for establishing their careers as our Financial Representatives.

Our internship offers you invaluable business experience that you will take with you far into your career. But that's just the start of the impact this can have on your future and your present.

Consider these benefits:

  • Practical guidance in your career selection process
  • The chance to develop your networking and business relationship skills
  • Flexible work schedule
  • Securities license, state licenses for life, health and accident insurance opportunities and a head start program for a career as a full-time Financial Representative
  • Compensation in the same manner as a full-time Financial Representative.
  • Actual business experience for your resume.
  • Test drive the Financial Representative career.

Regardless of what you do after graduation, you'll have a foundation of skills and knowledge to build your career upon. One out of three former interns becomes a full-time Financial Representative upon graduation. These graduates have built a solid foundation for immediate and future career success.

The two-thirds who choose other career paths benefit as well. They launch their career with stronger business-building skills and a clearer sense of where they want their career to take them.

After completing the internship, the knowledge you have gained, coupled with the opportunity to work for Hoopis Financial Group as a full-time Financial Representative, can lead you to a profitable and fulfilling future.

Meet some of our financial representatives who started their Northwestern Mutual careers as financial representative interns with Hoopis Financial Group or started their careers after graduating from college.

Thomas G. McGreenThomas McBreen
Financial Representative

Banking was what Tom wanted to do most and this became evident during his college studies. At the end of Tom’s Senior year he began the interviewing process for a banking position when he encountered the recruiters for the Hoopis Financial Group. That was the beginning and the end of Tom’s banking career.

To say he achieved instant success would be an overstatement, but Tom did immediately meet enough success to motivate him further by garnering ribbons and trophies, and celebrating various levels of Northwestern Mutual accomplishments such as “Lives,” Premiums, and New Clients. Even though Tom had tremendous pride in obtaining award ribbons, his real motivating factor became the ability to help people. Tom began to see the power and importance he played in helping people to meet their financial goals and realize their dreams.

After 8 years in the business of insurance services and investment products with the Northwestern Mutual Financial Network, Tom finds himself filled with a sense of both personal and professional achievement, and his career continues to expand. Tom is now settled at the Hoopis Financial Group, where his practice continues to grow in leaps and bounds, proven by Tom’s Northwestern Mutual status of “Forum Achiever”.

Tom chose a career in the financial industry because he met some excellent recruiters when he was 22 years old. That fateful meeting has turned into a career providing him with financial stability for himself and his family, significant pride in what he does, freedom to pursue many interests, such as golf and wine, and finally, the knowledge that he is leaving his own legacy in this world by helping so many to achieve their own financial successes. Tom loves what he does, and looks forward to many more fulfilling years.


Kyle SmithKyle Smith
Financial Representative

Before Kyle became a Financial Representative, he was a college student. He decided on this career because of its independence, impact and income. Read Kyle's insights on the career:

"The greatest rewards are working daily with my clients and monitoring the success they are achieving in reaching their financial goals. I also appreciate the "thank you's" I receive on my annual reviews."

"The greatest challenges are being an employer/business owner, underwriting difficulties and compliance. Early on, the greatest challenge is to make very little money and go into debt."

"But along the way, I learned that I do a very good job helping people with their problems or goals. I am a good coach."

The Northwestern Mutual Advantage

Northwestern Mutual exists to help policyowners and clients protect against financial risk and achieve financial security. The company, with its subsidiaries and affiliates, offers insurance products, investment products and advisory services that address client needs for financial security and protection, capital accumulation, asset distribution and estate preservation.

With more than 350 offices across the United States, 3 million policyowners and clients, $18 billion in annual revenues and $133 billion in assets, you can count on Northwestern Mutual to help you build strong financial futures for your clients.

The company's tradition of "doing the right thing" has been honored and nurtured by successive generations within Northwestern Mutual and recognized in the industry and media.

  • World's Most Admired--Northwestern Mutual is the "World's Most Admired" company in its industry, according to FORTUNE magazine's annual survey of industry executives and analysts. For Northwestern Mutual, it is the seventh year as the top life/health insurance company in the magazine's global survey.
     
  • First in Customer Satisfaction-- For the third year in a row, Northwestern Mutual has earned the highest customer satisfaction score among U.S. life insurers, according to the American Customer Satisfaction Index's (ACSI) survey. Northwestern Mutual's industry leading score can be found in the ACSI's fourth quarter of 2005 consumer study, focusing on retail trade, e-commerce, banks and insurance.
     
  • America's Most Admired--According to the March 7, 2006, FORTUNE magazine survey, Northwestern Mutual has been named "America's Most Admired" life insurance company for 23 years.
     
  • One of America's Top Ten Internships for 2006--"Northwestern Mutual Financial Network has made our Top 10 list for ten consecutive years, proving its internship program to be consistently among the best." Internship Informants™, Vault, inc., 20006.
     
  • Selling Power's 50 Best Companies to Sell For--Northwestern Mutual was ranked as the 2nd best and 3rd largest service company (November/December 2005).
     
  • Financial Ratings--The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company (Northwestern Mutual), the nation's largest direct provider of individual life insurance, according to statistics compiled from A. M. Best data, has always received the best possible insurance financial strength ratings from the four major rating services: Standard & Poor's (AAA), Fitch Ratings (AAA), A. M. Best (A++) and Moody's (Aaa).
     
  • Top 100 Employers--Ranked 22nd in The Black Collegian's "Top 100 Employer and The Majors in Demand" for the Class of 2005.
     
  • Largest Direct Provider of Life Insurance--According to statistics compiled from A. M. Best data, Northwestern Mutual is the largest direct provider of life insurance.
     
  • Community Support--The Northwestern Mutual Foundation supports nearly 1,500 schools and nonprofit organizations each year. Last year, the Foundation contributed nearly $13 million ($12,534,005) in national and Milwaukee-area grants.
     
  • 2006 Dividend--Northwestern Mutual's overall dividend payout to policyowners for 2006 is expected to be $4.27 billion, an increase of $360 million, the largest single increase in company history. This ongoing success, fostered by the company's tradition of "doing the right thing," has been honored and nurtured by successive generations within Northwestern Mutual.