OPT Sales Advisor Jobs
Sales Advisor jobs on OPT are widely available, but not every employer understands F-1 work authorization. Many Sales Advisor roles are in retail, SaaS, and financial services, where hiring cycles move fast and OPT's 12-month window can work in your favor if you apply strategically.
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Get Access To All JobsReady to turn your experience into something more meaningful? At Northwestern Mutual Puget Sound, our mission is to empower growth driven individuals to build a life of true freedom, fueled by our high performance ecosystem. We are proud to be a nationally recognized office dedicated to developing the next generation of financial representatives, ranked the #1 office in the country for new advisor success (revenue) twice in the past five years, most recently in 2025, and consistently named a top five Best Place to Work for the past three years. Inspired by Managing Partner Josh’s commitment to helping others live a life of choice and potential, we are equally passionate about making an impact beyond the office. Through initiatives like supporting pediatric cancer research with organizations such as Alex’s Lemonade Stand and the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation, raising over $500,000 in the last five years, as well as participating in events like the Fred Hutch Obliteride, we are committed to strengthening our community while helping our advisors thrive both personally and professionally.
Why Career Changers Could Thrive Here:
* You already have what it takes, people skills, perseverance, and a desire to make a difference.
* We provide the training, mentorship, and professional licensing support to help you confidently transition into financial services.
* You’ll be surrounded by a team that’s walked the same path, people who have built their own successful financial planning firms prior to coaching and developing others to do the same.
Our offices are located at:
* Seattle: 601 Union St. #2500, Seattle, WA. 98101
* Bellevue: 10655 NE 4th St. Ste. 900, Bellevue, WA. 98004
* Tacoma: 1201 Pacific Avenue Ste. #500 Tacoma, WA 98402
A Glance at Northwestern Mutual (NM):
Northwestern Mutual is a FORTUNE 500® company that provides a wide range of financial services to more than 5 million people. As a mutual company, we answer to our policyowners—not Wall Street. We began in Wisconsin in 1857, and today we’re one of America’s top companies - as was recognized by FORTUNE ® as one of the “World’s Most Admired” companies in 2024 - with a unique culture deeply dedicated to helping people achieve financial security.
Meet Our Team:
Josh Johnston, Managing Partner (MP):
* Time with NM: 8 years.
* Prior Experience: Background in wholesale business, managing sales for domestic brick-and-mortar retailers as well as international distribution within a baby furniture company.
* Passionate About: Spending time with and raising his four children. He enjoys cigars and artisan spirits, traveling both domestically and internationally to explore new cultures and natural beauty, and shopping at farmers markets and cooking seasonal meals with his family.
Blake Ozuna, District Director (DD):
* Time with NM: 9 years.
* Prior Experience: Began as an intern during his junior year of college and transitioned into a full-time advisor role, building his career with Northwestern Mutual since.
* Passionate About: Being intentional with his time outside of work. He is an avid runner, golfer, and sports fan, closely following the Seattle Mariners, Tottenham Hotspur, and Washington State athletics. He also enjoys trying new restaurants and experiences with his wife, Anna.
Thomas Steingrebe, Managing Director (MD):
* Time with NM: 5 years.
* Prior Experience: Joined Northwestern Mutual directly out of college with the goal of building his own financial planning practice. Drawn to the firm’s integrated planning approach and client-first focus, he was motivated by the opportunity to make a meaningful impact and build something for his future and family.
* Passionate About: Golfing, exploring new food experiences, and spending quality time with his family.
Victoria Nenchev, Managing Director (MD):
* Time with NM: 5 years.
* Prior Experience: Spent 8 years at a previous firm building her own practice and developing new advisors. Prior to her financial career, she was a collegiate athlete and trained for the Olympic trials.
* Passionate About: Spending time with her two young children, staying active both in and out of the gym, and enjoying live music with friends.
About the Role:
As a Sales Advisor at Northwestern Mutual, you will be part of a team that helps individuals and businesses achieve their financial goals through personalized financial planning. Your role involves building long-term relationships with clients, understanding their unique needs, and providing tailored financial solutions.
Key Responsibilities:
* Client Consultation: Engage with clients to understand their financial goals, aspirations, and concerns.
* Financial Planning: Develop comprehensive financial plans that include investments, insurance, retirement, tax, estate, and business planning.
* Ongoing Support: Monitor clients' financial plans and provide regular updates, adjusting strategies as needed to meet changing circumstances.
* Networking: Build and maintain a network of clients through referrals, community involvement, and professional associations.
Qualifications
* Education: Bachelor's Degree is strongly preferred or military equivalent.
* Experience: Previous experience in financial services, insurance or business development is not required.
* Skills: Strong interpersonal and communication skills, analytical thinking, and the ability to build trust and rapport with clients.
* Licenses: Obtain necessary licenses, such as Series 6, 63, and state insurance licenses (training and sponsorship available).
Benefits:
* Retirement
* Bonus based on performance
* Company parties
* Dental insurance
* Flexible schedule
* Health insurance
* Opportunity for advancement
* Training & development
* Vision insurance
- Professional Development: Access to ongoing training and development programs, including sponsorship for advanced certifications.
- Income Potential: Competitive compensation structure including performance incentives, with no ceiling.
- Support and Mentorship: Comprehensive support from a dedicated planning team, marketing resources, and experienced mentors.
- Work-Life Balance: Flexibility to create a schedule that fits your lifestyle and goals.
- Impact: Make a lasting impact by guiding individuals and families in your community towards financial security and success.
Northwestern Mutual is the marketing name for The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company (NM) and its subsidiaries in Milwaukee, WI. Josh Johnston is a Managing partner of NM and not in legal partnership with NM, or its subsidiaries.
Flexible work from home options available.
Ready to turn your experience into something more meaningful? At Northwestern Mutual Puget Sound, our mission is to empower growth driven individuals to build a life of true freedom, fueled by our high performance ecosystem. We are proud to be a nationally recognized office dedicated to developing the next generation of financial representatives, ranked the #1 office in the country for new advisor success (revenue) twice in the past five years, most recently in 2025, and consistently named a top five Best Place to Work for the past three years. Inspired by Managing Partner Josh’s commitment to helping others live a life of choice and potential, we are equally passionate about making an impact beyond the office. Through initiatives like supporting pediatric cancer research with organizations such as Alex’s Lemonade Stand and the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation, raising over $500,000 in the last five years, as well as participating in events like the Fred Hutch Obliteride, we are committed to strengthening our community while helping our advisors thrive both personally and professionally.
Why Career Changers Could Thrive Here:
* You already have what it takes, people skills, perseverance, and a desire to make a difference.
* We provide the training, mentorship, and professional licensing support to help you confidently transition into financial services.
* You’ll be surrounded by a team that’s walked the same path, people who have built their own successful financial planning firms prior to coaching and developing others to do the same.
Our offices are located at:
* Seattle: 601 Union St. #2500, Seattle, WA. 98101
* Bellevue: 10655 NE 4th St. Ste. 900, Bellevue, WA. 98004
* Tacoma: 1201 Pacific Avenue Ste. #500 Tacoma, WA 98402
A Glance at Northwestern Mutual (NM):
Northwestern Mutual is a FORTUNE 500® company that provides a wide range of financial services to more than 5 million people. As a mutual company, we answer to our policyowners—not Wall Street. We began in Wisconsin in 1857, and today we’re one of America’s top companies - as was recognized by FORTUNE ® as one of the “World’s Most Admired” companies in 2024 - with a unique culture deeply dedicated to helping people achieve financial security.
Meet Our Team:
Josh Johnston, Managing Partner (MP):
* Time with NM: 8 years.
* Prior Experience: Background in wholesale business, managing sales for domestic brick-and-mortar retailers as well as international distribution within a baby furniture company.
* Passionate About: Spending time with and raising his four children. He enjoys cigars and artisan spirits, traveling both domestically and internationally to explore new cultures and natural beauty, and shopping at farmers markets and cooking seasonal meals with his family.
Blake Ozuna, District Director (DD):
* Time with NM: 9 years.
* Prior Experience: Began as an intern during his junior year of college and transitioned into a full-time advisor role, building his career with Northwestern Mutual since.
* Passionate About: Being intentional with his time outside of work. He is an avid runner, golfer, and sports fan, closely following the Seattle Mariners, Tottenham Hotspur, and Washington State athletics. He also enjoys trying new restaurants and experiences with his wife, Anna.
Thomas Steingrebe, Managing Director (MD):
* Time with NM: 5 years.
* Prior Experience: Joined Northwestern Mutual directly out of college with the goal of building his own financial planning practice. Drawn to the firm’s integrated planning approach and client-first focus, he was motivated by the opportunity to make a meaningful impact and build something for his future and family.
* Passionate About: Golfing, exploring new food experiences, and spending quality time with his family.
Victoria Nenchev, Managing Director (MD):
* Time with NM: 5 years.
* Prior Experience: Spent 8 years at a previous firm building her own practice and developing new advisors. Prior to her financial career, she was a collegiate athlete and trained for the Olympic trials.
* Passionate About: Spending time with her two young children, staying active both in and out of the gym, and enjoying live music with friends.
About the Role:
As a Sales Advisor at Northwestern Mutual, you will be part of a team that helps individuals and businesses achieve their financial goals through personalized financial planning. Your role involves building long-term relationships with clients, understanding their unique needs, and providing tailored financial solutions.
Key Responsibilities:
* Client Consultation: Engage with clients to understand their financial goals, aspirations, and concerns.
* Financial Planning: Develop comprehensive financial plans that include investments, insurance, retirement, tax, estate, and business planning.
* Ongoing Support: Monitor clients' financial plans and provide regular updates, adjusting strategies as needed to meet changing circumstances.
* Networking: Build and maintain a network of clients through referrals, community involvement, and professional associations.
Qualifications
* Education: Bachelor's Degree is strongly preferred or military equivalent.
* Experience: Previous experience in financial services, insurance or business development is not required.
* Skills: Strong interpersonal and communication skills, analytical thinking, and the ability to build trust and rapport with clients.
* Licenses: Obtain necessary licenses, such as Series 6, 63, and state insurance licenses (training and sponsorship available).
Benefits:
* Retirement
* Bonus based on performance
* Company parties
* Dental insurance
* Flexible schedule
* Health insurance
* Opportunity for advancement
* Training & development
* Vision insurance
- Professional Development: Access to ongoing training and development programs, including sponsorship for advanced certifications.
- Income Potential: Competitive compensation structure including performance incentives, with no ceiling.
- Support and Mentorship: Comprehensive support from a dedicated planning team, marketing resources, and experienced mentors.
- Work-Life Balance: Flexibility to create a schedule that fits your lifestyle and goals.
- Impact: Make a lasting impact by guiding individuals and families in your community towards financial security and success.
Northwestern Mutual is the marketing name for The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company (NM) and its subsidiaries in Milwaukee, WI. Josh Johnston is a Managing partner of NM and not in legal partnership with NM, or its subsidiaries.
Flexible work from home options available.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Sales Advisor
Lead with your OPT authorization upfront
Sales hiring moves fast. Mention in your first message or application that you're authorized to work on OPT, so recruiters don't screen you out before they know you're eligible. Clarity early saves everyone time.
Target employers with a history of visa sponsorship
Companies that have sponsored H-1B visas before are far more likely to extend an OPT student into a full-time role. Check employer sponsorship history before applying to gauge your chances of long-term employment.
Highlight quota-carrying sales experience
Employers prioritize candidates who can demonstrate measurable impact. Include specific metrics from internships, campus roles, or part-time work, such as conversion rates or accounts managed, to stand out against other applicants.
Apply within the first three months of OPT
Many Sales Advisor roles have 90-day ramp periods before quota kicks in. Starting your job search early gives employers confidence you'll be fully productive well before your OPT authorization window creates any timeline pressure.
Get STEM OPT extension paperwork ready if eligible
If your degree qualifies for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, prepare your I-983 and employer documentation before you receive an offer. Employers in sales appreciate candidates who reduce administrative uncertainty from day one.
Practice explaining your work authorization confidently
Many Sales Advisor hiring managers are unfamiliar with OPT. Prepare a one- or two-sentence explanation you can deliver without hesitation. Confidence in your authorization status signals professionalism and removes doubt from the employer's decision.
Sales Advisor OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Sales Advisor on OPT?
Yes, Sales Advisor roles are generally eligible for OPT as long as the position is directly related to your field of study. Degrees in business, marketing, communications, or economics typically satisfy this requirement. If your degree is in a less obvious field, document the connection clearly in your EAD application and when discussing the role with your DSO.
Do Sales Advisor employers typically sponsor visas after OPT ends?
It depends on the employer. Larger companies in SaaS, financial services, and enterprise sales have established immigration programs and regularly sponsor H-1B visas for high-performing sales staff. Smaller companies and retail employers are less consistent. Researching an employer's H-1B sponsorship history before accepting an offer is worth the effort, since your long-term status depends on it.
Does commission-based pay affect my OPT authorization?
No, commission-based or variable compensation structures don't affect your OPT eligibility. What matters is that the role qualifies as a legitimate position related to your degree and that you're employed by a single authorized employer. Discuss commission-only arrangements with your DSO, as some structures without a base salary can raise questions during OPT reporting.
Where can I find Sales Advisor jobs that are open to OPT candidates?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and lists Sales Advisor roles from employers familiar with OPT work authorization. Searching through a general job board makes it hard to filter for OPT-friendly employers. Migrate Mate surfaces roles where sponsorship history and OPT compatibility are already factored in, saving you time and reducing the risk of applying to employers who won't hire international students.
Can I work remotely as a Sales Advisor on OPT?
Yes, remote Sales Advisor roles are permitted on OPT. USCIS requires that you maintain a legitimate employer-employee relationship, but there is no requirement that work be performed on-site. Your EAD must list the correct employer, and your DSO must have your updated employment information on file. Fully remote sales roles have become common in SaaS and inside sales, making this a realistic option for OPT students.