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Essential Skills Needed for a Career in Tech

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At Northwestern Mutual, we understand the value that technology brings to our business by allowing us to build creative solutions for our clients. That’s why we’re always on the lookout for ambitious, innovative talent that helps us stay ahead. 

But for those who are interested in advancing their tech careers, it may be surprising to hear that some of the top skills our recruiters are searching for aren’t necessarily tech related.  

Find out exactly what skills our tech recruiters say you should prioritize when applying for a job with NM.   

1. Collaboration  

“Collaboration is a pivotal skill to have for our tech teams here at Northwestern Mutual. Effective collaboration ensures that cross-functional teams can integrate their diverse expertise to solve complex problems and deliver cutting-edge solutions.” - Charlie, Lead Recruiter  

2. Communication 

“Strong communication delivery allows you to work effectively with cross functional teams and executive leadership driving work forward. This sets a clear vision, providing input into bringing concepts to life and fosters collaboration to align with business objectives.” - Racheal, Senior Technical Recruiter  

3. Leadership  

“Here at Northwestern Mutual, we value people leaders. Strong leadership provides direction, inspires teams, and cultivates a culture of continuous improvement, ultimately enhancing the value delivered to clients and stakeholders.” - Charlie, Lead Recruiter  

4. Ability to Design & Execute High Impact Solutions 

“At Northwestern Mutual, we embrace a culture of full ownership by writing high-quality code, guiding architectural decisions, and ensuring delivery of impactful features. This means taking charge of everything from architecture and testing to deployment and optimization.” - Racheal, Senior Technical Recruiter 

Interested in working at NM? Check out our open tech roles and stay connected by joining our talent community.  

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