BBC's The Apprentice. What bestowed me to audition, the lure of showcasing sales skills, making use of real entrepreneurial techniques and having relentless sheer determination. I keep forgetting that it's just a TV show, the same Syco Talkback Thames company that runs the X factor entertainment circus show. If you think this is a serious job interview than you are far from being right.
This year I went to audition. My second time that is. I forgot to apply last year and the year before was my first ever time to audition for this show. Every time, I get closer. For those who asked how my auditions went. I usually don’t talk about any aspect of my audition as per se.
TV show has a complete set of film crew just like how movies are created. You need to keep remembering what the producers are really looking for. A ruthless job applicant bordering psychopath that makes good TV. People who get on the show are the one’s with the biggest personalities and a bit of business on the sideline.
TV SHOW SELECTION PROCESS:
1
Fill in the online forms and if you get invited, you get more forms to fill. You need CV, business experiences on top. Also non regal questions such as Why should you be Lord Sugar's business partner?, What makes you different from everyone else applying? and What is the most interesting thing about you? etc.
2
Then you get invited for the interview of two producers with less than 30 seconds to getting fired. One shot, like every job interview in this world, you get a shot. 40,000 began the initial process and then it dwindles down to two digits.
Each of us were given numbers and called in groups to stand before the judging panel. When your number was called out, you step forward and with your 30 seconds to explain why you should be selected to appear on the show. Remember real business experiences don’t count and won’t impress the panel. Only two to three candidate out of the group of 20 will be selected from this stage for the next researcher round.
Queuing outside before the group interview
Everyone is frantically going over their CV and their paperworks feverishly
Handing in documentation and personal identification materials
Waiting for the interviews to start
After group interview, getting started on researcher interview
3
Researchers gruelling interview, I was grilled with mathematical questions fired at me requiring instant calculation without any aid, to define several business terms which I have never heard of.
Furthermore to dissect your complete business experiences and other questions about my personality in general. To have your sales skills showcased, you get asked the 'Sell me this pen’ question, a pen will be given to you to sell. A very standard question as I later found out, the secret is all you need to do is create is an urgent demand, do not waffle about how great the pen is. Your interview will complete with two hand shakes, one at the start and one at the end to determine your strength in personality, apparently strength in the handshakes defines.
Lastly, you get a letter from them, if you do hear back then you’re even closer to seeing the boardroom.
