Motivation, Programme Fit & Company Knowledge

These questions assess career motivation, understanding of the internship programme, and knowledge of the organisation.

• What did you learn about Discovery and its approach to financial services when researching the company?
• What motivated you to apply for the Discovery Internship Programme?
• Why are you interested in gaining experience within Group Life Operations specifically?
• What attracts you to a structured 12-month internship rather than immediate full-time employment?
• How do Discovery’s values and working environment align with your career goals?

Academic Background & Operational Readiness

These questions assess how well your academic knowledge prepares you for operational and administrative work.

• How has your BCom degree or Honours qualification prepared you for a role in financial services operations?
• Which subjects or modules from your studies do you think are most relevant to this internship?
• How would you approach understanding unfamiliar operational processes or insurance terminology?
• Why is accuracy important when working with financial or policy-related information?
• How can graduates add value in operational teams while still learning?

Professional Behaviour, Organisation & Teamwork (STAR based)

These questions assess reliability, communication, teamwork, and professionalism.

• Tell us about a time you had to manage detailed or repetitive work.
• Describe a situation where you had to meet deadlines while maintaining accuracy.
• Give an example of how you worked effectively as part of a team.
• Tell us about a time you had to follow processes or procedures carefully.
• Describe a situation where professionalism or confidentiality was important.

Structuring Clear Interview Answers (STAR Method)

This section assesses your ability to explain experiences clearly and reflect on outcomes.

STAR explained:

1. Situation: Describe the context
2. Task: Explain your responsibility
3. Action: What you did
4. Result: What happened and what you learned

Sample Graduate Answer:

1. Situation: During my final-year studies, I completed a group assignment involving financial data analysis.
2. Task: I was responsible for checking figures and compiling the final report.
3. Action: I reviewed the data carefully, followed guidelines, and worked closely with my group.
4. Result: The project was completed successfully, and I strengthened my attention to detail and teamwork skills.

Presenting Academic and Informal Experience

This section assesses how effectively you translate non-work experience into workplace-relevant skills.

Discovery recognises that many graduates may not yet have formal work experience. You can use examples from:

• University assignments or research projects
• Group work or presentations
• Case studies or simulations
• Part-time, administrative, or customer-facing work
• Volunteer or community activities

Focus on accuracy, organisation, learning ability, and responsibility.

Common Interview Mistakes to Avoid

• Not Researching Discovery and Group Life Operations
• Giving generic answers without examples
• Underestimating the importance of accuracy and compliance
• Struggling to explain your qualification clearly
• Poor preparation or lack of professionalism

Interview Preparation Checklist

• Research Discovery and Group Life Operations
• Revise key concepts from your BCom or Honours studies
• Prepare 2–3 STAR-based examples
• Be ready to discuss accuracy and process-following
• Dress professionally and arrive early
• Prepare a thoughtful question for the interview panel

Qualification-Specific Interview Questions

(BCom Degree / Honours Focus)

These questions assess business understanding, analytical thinking, and operational awareness.

• Why is process control important in financial services operations?
• How do accurate records support effective decision-making?
• What role does risk management play in insurance operations?
• How can strong administrative processes improve customer outcomes?
• Why is compliance important when handling financial or personal data?
• How does attention to detail impact accuracy in insurance or financial operations?
• Why is consistency important when applying processes across different cases or policies?
• How would you ensure your work remains accurate when dealing with high volumes of information?
• What role does administration play in supporting underwriting or claims processes?
• How can poor data handling affect customers and the organisation?
• Why is understanding basic insurance concepts important in operational roles?
• How would you handle a situation where you are unsure about a process or instruction?
• What skills from your studies help you work effectively with structured procedures?
• How does teamwork contribute to efficiency in operational environments?
• Why is confidentiality critical when working with employee benefits or personal information?