Careers

Why join The Kratochvil Group?

The career of a Financial Representative is one marked by freedom and opportunity. The clients served, the area of specialization, the working style and even the hours are chosen by the individual. Earning potential isn’t constrained by corporate pay structure – it can grow freely by virtue of ambition, drive, energy and commitment.

Because so much depends on the individual, the beginning of the Financial Representative’s career is a crucial time. Training and education set the stage for the years to come and must be handled correctly in order to maximize potential.

Optimizing staff development is as much a priority at The Kratochvil Group as ensuring client satisfaction because of how much the latter depends upon the former: Well-trained Financial Representatives are effective at meeting client needs, and as such as essential to the success of the organization.

The Kratochvil Group starts by making sure that the candidate is right for the position and the organization. There are outstanding opportunities for:

• College students – The Northwestern Mutual internship was named "One of America's Top Ten Internships for 2008" by the Vault Guide to Internships, 2008 edition. One in three Financial Representative Interns become full-time Financial Representatives, and they hit the ground running. Others say they appreciate how the internship advanced their personal development.
   
• Recent college graduates – Young professionals hoping to sign on with a good company would do well to consider Northwestern Mutual’s nearly 150-year history.  Northwestern mutual achieved the longest record at number in any industry in the history of Fortune® magazine most admired survey, after leading the life insurance industry for 25 years (March 2009 issue, FORTUNE® magazine survey).
• Career changers – Sometimes Financial Representatives get their start with another company in the industry, or else they enter the field because they’re interested in having a career, not just a job. Most find that the grass truly is greener.

Candidates first meet with the Director of Development, and typically this begins a series of meetings with other associates of The Kratochvil Group including the Managing Director, Jim Kratochvil. If a fit is recognized and the candidate signs the contract, then the training and education can begin.
 
In addition to learning all about Northwestern Mutual and its approach to helping clients achieve financial security, new associates at The Kratochvil Group receive training in needs analysis, sales techniques and methods for building a client base. Coaching and mentoring help to solidify these concepts, and regular status meetings ensure that everybody is on track and feeling comfortable. Guidance, collaboration and support are essential to a culture that works to make every individual a success.

Furthermore, training and education don't end once a Financial Representative reaches a certain level of proficiency: Opportunities for professional and personal development are available throughout the career span. You truly can take your career in any direction that calls you.

Meet Our Director of Development

Kelly Malina, a graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, has been with Northwestern Mutual since September 2001. In line with her responsibility for the growth of The Kratochvil Group, she looks for candidates who share the core values of the office: growth, passion and personal responsibility.

Kelly is a life-long resident of Crystal Lake where she resides with husband, John and their children, Abby and Johnny.  She looks forward to getting involved with the school district now that her daughter is in kindergarten.  Outside of the office, Kelly enjoys traveling, photography and spending time with family.

What keeps Kelly motivated after all these years is the fact that she still gets to meet new people everyday and learn about them, their families and their career aspirations.  If a mutual fit is determined with this company and career, she then gets to assist them with their success by being a career coach for their business.  At the end of the day, Kelly feels she's made an impact in the community by offering local people careers, and in the representatives business by helping them succeed, which in turn helps their clients have piece of mind.

The Kratochvil Group always keeps an eye out for the right people. Are you one? Contact us.