Hey ZISADZA PRIDE!
🎯 Congrats on getting the call — that means they
liked what they saw on paper. Below is a quick guide: *possible
questions*, *how to structure answers*, and *sample wording* you can
tweak to sound like you.
📞 Likely Questions (Short-term Internship – Accounting/Finance)
1. Warm-up / Intro
- *“Tell me about yourself.”*
- *“Why did you apply to Solten Financial Services?”*
2. Academic & Skills Fit
- *“What does Financial Intelligence mean to you?”*
- *“Which accounting/finance courses have you enjoyed most?”*
- *“What do you know about our services (micro-finance, SME lending,
etc.)?”*
- *“How comfortable are you with Excel or any accounting software?”*
3. Experience (Even if none)
- *“Do you have any part-time or volunteer work that shows
responsibility?”*
- *“What did you learn from your 6-month security guard role?”*
4. Motivation & Fit
- *“Why Marondera branch? Are you willing to relocate/stay there?”*
- *“What do you expect to gain from this internship?”*
- *“How do you handle pressure or tight deadlines?”*
5. Behavioral (STAR)
- *“Give an example of a problem you solved with limited info.”*
- *“Describe a time you worked in a team.”*
6. Logistics (They’ll probably confirm)
- *Availability dates*
- *Transport/relocation willingness*
How to Answer (STAR + Keep it Brief)
*S – Situation* – set the scene (where, when, context).
*T – Task* – what you needed to do.
*A – Action* – steps you took (focus on skills: analysis, communication,
initiative).
*R – Result* – outcome, what you learned.
*Tip:* 45-60 seconds per answer. Speak clearly, smile (even over phone, it
changes tone).
📝 Sample Answers (Short)
1. Tell me about yourself
*Sample:*
“Hi, I’m ZISADZA PRIDE, a third-year BCom (Hons) Financial Intelligence
student at Bindura University. I’m currently completing a short course in
Tax & Administration (2025) and have consistently earned merit awards in
commerce and science tech. Though I haven’t had formal finance work
yet, my 6-month stint as a security guard taught me discipline and
attention to detail—qualities I know are crucial in accounting work. I’m
eager to apply my academic knowledge in a real setting like Solten
Financial Services.”
2. Why Solten?
*Sample:*
“I’ve read that Solten focuses on SME financing and micro-loans in Mutare
and Marondera, which aligns with my interest in financial inclusion and
risk assessment. Your reputation for community impact and strong
compliance culture is exactly where I’d love to learn practical accounting
and finance skills.”
3. What do you know about our services?
*Sample:*
“From your website, Solten provides micro-finance loans, savings
products, and advisory services to small businesses and farmers. You also
run a strong compliance framework under ZIMRA regulations—something
my Tax & Admin short course covered.”
4. Excel / Software Comfort
*Sample:*
“I’m proficient in Excel (VLOOKUP, pivot tables, basic modelling) and have
used it for financial statement analysis projects. I’ve also done a quick
exposure to QuickBooks through a university workshop.”
5. Handling Pressure
*STAR Example:*
_Situation:_ “During my security shift, we had a sudden power outage
affecting the client’s safe area.”
_Task:_ “Needed to keep calm, coordinate with team, and log the incident
accurately.”
_Action:_ “Communicated clearly with everyone, documented steps, and
ensured safety protocols were followed.”
_Result:_ “No breach occurred, and the report was accepted without
queries.”
*Takeaway:* “I stay organized, prioritize tasks, and keep communication
open under pressure.”
6. Availability / Relocation
*Answer:*
“Yes, I’m available to start 1 June and can relocate to Marondera for the
duration of the internship. I have transport arrangements sorted.”
✅ Quick Checklist Before the Call
1. *Have the letter handy* (Mrs Munetsi, contact number).
2. *Quiet, good signal spot* (no background noise).
3. *Print or PDF of CV, transcript, certificates*.
4. *List 2-3 questions for them* (mentor support, key projects, training
schedule).
5. *Dose of confidence* – smile, speak slowly, breathe.
*Got a specific question you fear most?*
*Or want me to run a short mock interview (me as Mrs Munetsi)?*
Let me know, happy to help you practice! 🚀
Gotcha! 👌 Here’s a fresh set of *common interview questions* for an
Accounting/Finance internship when you have *zero work experience* —
plus short, solid answer guides you can tweak.
📞 Interview Questions (No Work Exp)
1. Tell me about yourself (60 s)
2. Why are you interested in an internship at Solten Financial Services?
3. What does “Financial Intelligence” mean to you?
4. Which of your academic projects or coursework prepared you most for
finance/accounting?
5. Do you have any exposure to accounting software or Excel? What level?
6. Give an example of a time you handled responsibility (school, club,
volunteer).
7. How do you prioritize tasks when you have multiple deadlines?
8. Describe a situation where you solved a problem with limited
information.
9. Are you willing to relocate to Marondera for the internship? When can
you start?
10. Do you have any questions for us?
Answer Guide (STAR where it fits)
1. Tell me about yourself
*Sample:*
> “I’m [Name], a third-year BCom (Hons) Financial Intelligence student at
Bindura University. I’ve just completed a short course in Tax &
Administration (2025) and earned awards like Best in Provincial Science &
Technology Exhibitions (2015) and Excellence in Commerce (2013).
Though I haven’t had a formal job yet, I’ve built strong analytical skills
through coursework and a recent financial statement analysis project. I’m
eager to apply that knowledge in a real-world setting like Solten’s finance
team.”
2. Why Solten?
*Sample:*
> “Solten’s focus on micro-finance for SMEs and its strong compliance
culture caught my eye. My degree covers risk management and financial
regulation, and I want to see how those concepts work in practice while
contributing to the community impact you drive.”
3. Financial Intelligence meaning
*Sample:*
> “Financial intelligence is the ability to collect, analyze, and interpret
financial data to make informed decisions, manage risk, and ensure
compliance. It blends accounting principles, data analytics, and an
understanding of regulatory frameworks—exactly what my degree
emphasizes.”
4. Academic project that prepared you
*STAR format*
- *S:* Group project analyzing XYZ Ltd’s financial statements.
- *T:* Compute key ratios, spot trends, suggest cost-efficiency measures.
- *A:* Used Excel (VLOOKUP, pivot tables), did ratio analysis, presented
findings to class.
- *R:* Got 92 % and feedback that our recommendations were practical.
*Takeaway:* Learned to translate numbers into actionable insights.
5. Excel / Software
*Sample:*
> “I’m comfortable with Excel – VLOOKUP, pivot tables, basic modelling,
and charts. In university we used Tally for a short demo and I’ve done a
self-paced QuickBooks tutorial. Still learning Power BI, but basics of data
visualisation are solid.”
6. Responsibility example (no job)
*STAR*
- *S:* Treasurer, University Finance & Investment Society (2023-2024).
- *T:* Manage club’s petty cash, record dues, prepare simple budget for
events.
- *A:* Kept a spreadsheet, reconciled accounts weekly, reported to
committee.
- *R:* No discrepancies, club stayed within budget, got “Best Managed
Society” award.
*Takeaway:* Trustworthiness, attention to detail, basic bookkeeping.
7. Prioritizing tasks
*Sample:*
> “I use a simple matrix: urgent-important first, then important-not
urgent. I break deadlines into daily to-do lists in my calendar with
reminders. When multiple assignments clash, I communicate early to
negotiate extensions or re-prioritize low-**low impact stuff.
8. Problem with limited info
*STAR*
- *S:* Group assignment, data set was incomplete.
- *T:* Needed to forecast sales for a case study.
- *A:* Made reasonable assumptions based on industry averages, flagged
them in notes.
- *R:* Presentation was accepted; prof appreciated transparency.
*Takeaway:* Critical thinking, using proxies responsibly.
9. Relocation & Availability
> “Yes, I’m happy to relocate to Marondera for the internship. I can start
by 1 June and am available full-time for the agreed duration.”
10. Questions for Them
1. “What key projects would an intern be involved in during the first
month?”
2. “How does Solten support the professional development of interns
(training, mentorship)?”
3. “What are the main KPIs you track for the finance team?”
Quick Tips for the Phone Interview
- *Smile while you speak* – voice sounds warmer.
- *Mute mic* when not speaking to avoid background noise.
- *Have a water bottle* nearby, sip if you need a pause.
- *Listen carefully* – repeat the question in your head before answering.
- *End with gratitude:* “Thank you for the opportunity, I look forward to
hearing from you.”
*Want a mock dialogue with me playing Mrs Munetsi?*
*Or a focus on a specific role (Compliance, Data Analytics)?*
Just drop what you need, and we’ll roll! 🚀
Gotcha! 👌 Here’s a fresh set of *common interview questions* for an
Accounting/Finance internship when you have *zero work experience* —
plus short, solid answer guides you can tweak.
📞 Interview Questions (No Work Exp)
1. Tell me about yourself (60 s)
2. Why are you interested in an internship at Solten Financial Services?
3. What does “Financial Intelligence” mean to you?
4. Which of your academic projects or coursework prepared you most for
finance/accounting?
5. Do you have any exposure to accounting software or Excel? What level?
6. Give an example of a time you handled responsibility (school, club,
volunteer).
7. How do you prioritize tasks when you have multiple deadlines?
8. Describe a situation where you solved a problem with limited
information.
9. Are you willing to relocate to Marondera for the internship? When can
you start?
10. Do you have any questions for us?
Answer Guide (STAR where it fits)
1. Tell me about yourself
*Sample:*
> “I’m [Name], a third-year BCom (Hons) Financial Intelligence student at
Bindura University. I’ve just completed a short course in Tax &
Administration (2025) and earned awards like Best in Provincial Science &
Technology Exhibitions (2015) and Excellence in Commerce (2013).
Though I haven’t had a formal job yet, I’ve built strong analytical skills
through coursework and a recent financial statement analysis project. I’m
eager to apply that knowledge in a real-world setting like Solten’s finance
team.”
2. Why Solten?
*Sample:*
> “Solten’s focus on micro-finance for SMEs and its strong compliance
culture caught my eye. My degree covers risk management and financial
regulation, and I want to see how those concepts work in practice while
contributing to the community impact you drive.”
3. Financial Intelligence meaning
*Sample:*
> “Financial intelligence is the ability to collect, analyze, and interpret
financial data to make informed decisions, manage risk, and ensure
compliance. It blends accounting principles, data analytics, and an
understanding of regulatory frameworks—exactly what my degree
emphasizes.”
4. Academic project that prepared you
*STAR format*
- *S:* Group project analyzing XYZ Ltd’s financial statements.
- *T:* Compute key ratios, spot trends, suggest cost-efficiency measures.
- *A:* Used Excel (VLOOKUP, pivot tables), did ratio analysis, presented
findings to class.
- *R:* Got 92 % and feedback that our recommendations were practical.
*Takeaway:* Learned to translate numbers into actionable insights.
5. Excel / Software
*Sample:*
> “I’m comfortable with Excel – VLOOKUP, pivot tables, basic modelling,
and charts. In university we used Tally for a short demo and I’ve done a
self-paced QuickBooks tutorial. Still learning Power BI, but basics of data
visualisation are solid.”
6. Responsibility example (no job)
*STAR*
- *S:* Treasurer, University Finance & Investment Society (2023-2024).
- *T:* Manage club’s petty cash, record dues, prepare simple budget for
events.
- *A:* Kept a spreadsheet, reconciled accounts weekly, reported to
committee.
- *R:* No discrepancies, club stayed within budget, got “Best Managed
Society” award.
*Takeaway:* Trustworthiness, attention to detail, basic bookkeeping.
7. Prioritizing tasks
*Sample:*
> “I use a simple matrix: urgent-important first, then important-not
urgent. I break deadlines into daily to-do lists in my calendar with
reminders. When multiple assignments clash, I communicate early to
negotiate extensions or re-prioritize low-**low impact stuff.
8. Problem with limited info
*STAR*
- *S:* Group assignment, data set was incomplete.
- *T:* Needed to forecast sales for a case study.
- *A:* Made reasonable assumptions based on industry averages, flagged
them in notes.
- *R:* Presentation was accepted; prof appreciated transparency.
*Takeaway:* Critical thinking, using proxies responsibly.
9. Relocation & Availability
> “Yes, I’m happy to relocate to Marondera for the internship. I can start
by 1 June and am available full-time for the agreed duration.”
10. Questions for Them
1. “What key projects would an intern be involved in during the first
month?”
2. “How does Solten support the professional development of interns
(training, mentorship)?”
3. “What are the main KPIs you track for the finance team?”
Quick Tips for the Phone Interview
- *Smile while you speak* – voice sounds warmer.
- *Mute mic* when not speaking to avoid background noise.
- *Have a water bottle* nearby, sip if you need a pause.
- *Listen carefully* – repeat the question in your head before answering.
- *End with gratitude:* “Thank you for the opportunity, I look forward to
hearing from you.”
*Want a mock dialogue with me playing Mrs Munetsi?*
*Or a focus on a specific role (Compliance, Data Analytics)?*
Just drop what you need, and we’ll roll! 🚀