Likely Interview Questions – General & Motivation

• Why are you interested in an internship in Enterprise Risk Management and Compliance at Life Healthcare?
• What attracts you to working in the healthcare sector, specifically in a risk and compliance role?
• How does this internship align with your qualification and long-term career goals?
• What do you understand about Life Healthcare’s responsibility regarding ethics, governance, and patient information?
• What skills or personal qualities do you think are most important for success in this internship?

Role-Specific Interview Questions 

(Focused on foundational knowledge, not specialist expertise)

• What is Enterprise Risk Management (ERM), and why is it important for large organisations?
• Can you explain the difference between risk management and compliance?
• Why is compliance especially critical in a healthcare environment?
• What types of risks do you think a healthcare group like Life Healthcare may face?
• What do you understand about privacy laws and the importance of protecting personal or patient information?
• How would you approach supporting senior managers with risk or compliance-related tasks as an intern?

Behavioural Interview Questions (STAR-Based)

• Tell us about a time you had to follow strict rules or guidelines to complete an assignment or project.
• Describe a situation where attention to detail was important to avoid errors.
• Give an example of when you had to handle sensitive or confidential information (academically or otherwise).
• Tell us about a time you worked with different stakeholders or team members to achieve a goal.

How to Answer Using the STAR Method

STAR Method Explained:

1. Situation – Describe the context
2. Task – Explain what was required of you
3. Action – Describe what you did
4. Result – Share the outcome and what you learned

Sample Graduate-Level STAR Answer:

1. Situation: In my final year, I worked on a group assignment analysing business risks in a regulated industry.
2. Task: I was responsible for identifying compliance-related risks and documenting controls.
3. Action: I reviewed legislation discussed in class, summarised key risks, and worked closely with my group to ensure accuracy.
4. Result: The assignment was well-received, and I developed a stronger understanding of compliance and teamwork.

If You Have No Work Experience

Life Healthcare understands that graduates may have limited or no formal work experience. You may use examples from:

• University or college assignments
• Risk, audit, governance, or compliance-related projects
• Group work or case studies
• Student leadership roles
• Volunteering or community involvement
• Part-time or casual work where accuracy and responsibility were required

Focus on how you think, learn, apply rules, and act ethically.

Common Interview Mistakes to Avoid

• Showing little understanding of risk or compliance concepts
• Being vague when answering questions without examples
• Underestimating the importance of confidentiality and ethics
• Failing to research Life Healthcare or the healthcare sector
• Not demonstrating willingness to learn and take guidance

Quick Interview Preparation Checklist

• Research Life Healthcare and its role in South African healthcare
• Review basic ERM, compliance, governance, and risk concepts
• Understand the importance of privacy and confidentiality
• Prepare 2–3 STAR examples from academic or project work
• Practice explaining your qualification clearly
• Prepare at least one thoughtful question for the interview panel

Here's a list of tailored interview questions grouped by qualification

Risk Management / Enterprise Risk Management

Role Focus: Identifying, assessing, and monitoring risks across the organisation.

• What do you understand by Enterprise Risk Management, and why is it important for a large healthcare group?
• Can you explain the difference between strategic, operational, and compliance risks?
• How would you go about identifying risks in an organisation if you were given limited information?
• What role do risk registers play in managing organisational risk?
• Why is it important to embed a risk-aware culture across all levels of an organisation?
• How would you support senior risk managers as an intern with limited experience?

Compliance Management

Role Focus: Ensuring adherence to laws, regulations, internal policies, and ethical standards.

• What does compliance mean in a corporate or healthcare environment?
• Why is compliance particularly important in organisations that handle sensitive personal or patient data?
• What steps would you take to ensure policies are followed within a business unit?
• How do compliance frameworks help organisations reduce risk?
• What do you understand about privacy laws and the responsibility organisations have to protect information?
• How would you handle a situation where you noticed a possible compliance breach?

Financial Management

Role Focus: Financial risk, controls, governance, and supporting sound decision-making.

• How does financial management contribute to risk management in an organisation?
• What types of financial risks might a healthcare group face?
• Can you explain the importance of internal controls in preventing financial misstatements or fraud?
• How can poor financial management increase compliance and reputational risks?
• What exposure have you had to budgeting, financial reporting, or cost control in your studies?
• How would you apply your financial knowledge in a non-finance role such as risk or compliance?

Business Management

Role Focus: Governance, operations, stakeholder coordination, and organisational effectiveness.

• How does good governance support effective risk and compliance management?
• What role do policies and procedures play in managing organisational risk?
• How can poor operational processes increase risk in a healthcare organisation?
• What do you understand about stakeholder management in a corporate environment?
• How would you approach working with senior managers and specialists as a graduate intern?
• How can business management principles support a culture of accountability and compliance?

Tip for Candidates

Even if your qualification is not purely risk or compliance, interviewers are looking for:

• Logical thinking
• Ethical awareness
• Attention to detail
• Willingness to learn
• Ability to apply academic knowledge in a real-world setting