DON’T copy these toxic traits from The Apprentice if you want a new job, experts say

The Apprentice is back on our screens, with another 18 entrepreneurs hoping to secure a £250,000 business investment from Lord Alan Sugar.

Now in his eighteenth series, the experienced businessman has seen it all, from wildly confident candidates to spectacular failed tasks and team fights.

The reality show may be team-oriented, but because each participant stands up solely for themselves, it doesn’t offer the most compelling portrayal of a positive work culture.

There may not be much to learn from the show’s participants about how to secure your dream job, but there are certainly some good examples of what not to do.

We spoke to career experts to find out how you should really approach your job search, and what you should do once you’ve successfully found a new position.

How do you write a great resume?

Creating a resume is a difficult balance. While you want to tell the employer all about your achievements and what you can bring to the position, you don’t want to come across as arrogant or exaggerate your skills and experience.

As we’ve seen time and again on The Apprentice, those who make exaggerated claims on their CVs always end up being found out.

Lorraine Twist, director at recruitment agency Hays, says it’s best to focus on your specific skills rather than general traits, and show how these apply to the job in question.

“In an age of skills-based recruitment, it’s important to be specific about the skills you can bring to bear, rather than relying on your qualifications or experience to do the talking,” she says.

‘Rather than shrugging off the day-to-day responsibilities that a previous job entailed, make sure you prove how the experience and skills you have under your belt are transferable and relevant to the job in question.’

Another piece of advice that the Apprentice candidates seem to have missed is to avoid buzzwords.

Ray’n Terry, director of human resources at TotalJobs, says: ‘Don’t rely too much on buzzwords. Buzzwords can easily detract from the key experience and authentic self you want to emphasize in your resume.”

She adds that applicants should remember to pay attention to the finer details, making sure their resume is readable and avoids clichés.

‘Check for typos. Spelling mistakes distract from your real-world experience and can ruin all the hard work put into a resume,” she says.

“If you can, ask a friend, family member, or even an AI tool to take a fresh look at it.”

When it comes to layout and format, it’s best to be clear and avoid using too many words.

Careers expert and author James Innes, also known as The Jobs Guru, says: ‘It is essential that your CV can be easily scanned by the reader quickly and effectively.

‘You need to separate different sections and insert clear section headings. Avoid long paragraphs; use bullet points to break text into more manageable bite-sized chunks.”

It also helps to research what resumes typically look like in your industry, as there may be different expectations depending on the type of position you opt for.

David Overmars of recruitment website Jobseeker.com says: ‘Create your CV in a clear, professional format, focusing on relevant experiences and achievements that fit the job description you are applying for.

‘Always keep in mind that resume expectations vary from industry to industry. In the creative arts, for example, much more emphasis will regularly be placed on the visual format of your CV.’

Tips to impress during a job interview

With a strong resume behind you, you’ll find that you’ve landed an interview for your dream job and have the chance to prove yourself to an employer.

The Apprentice candidates can boast of being super confident under pressure, but for most people this is a difficult task.

According to Terry from TotalJobs, nerves are completely natural and not something that most employers will be critical of.

‘Remember that excitement and nervousness feel the same in your body. It shows that something important is about to happen,” she says. ‘No one should disapprove of you because you are nervous during a job interview.’

More important, Terry says, is that you don’t present a false persona.

“You want to show your most authentic self, otherwise it could be a mismatch later,” she says.

For Innes, the key to acing your job interview lies long before you step into the room.

He says: ‘The key to avoiding pre-interview jitters is to prepare well. We fear what we don’t know and what we can’t control, but there’s so much you can do to plan and prepare for your job interview – and the first item on your list should be to thoroughly investigate the job in question. to investigate.

“Not knowing the ins and outs of a job is one of the worst blunders you can make during a job interview, as is not showing the interviewer how you meet the requirements for the job.”

One thing interviewees can learn from the confident candidates on The Apprentice is that it pays to put a positive spin on things. Even if there are negative experiences that made you want to leave your current position, it’s not a good idea to air these grievances to your potential new boss.

‘Always present yourself positively,’ says Overmars. ‘Avoid negative comments about previous positions or employers and actively engage with the interviewer to demonstrate your interest and competence.

‘This approach shows your professionalism and genuine interest in contributing to their team.’

Appearance also makes a difference, Twist tells This is Money, so it’s essential to arrive on time and dress appropriately.

“Be aware of your body language and eye contact so that you appear confident and approachable,” she says.

Put your best foot forward in your new job

After you have successfully applied and performed successfully at the interview stage, a job offer may be just around the corner.

However, getting a new job doesn’t mean you get the chance to rest on your laurels. instead, it’s time to prove to your new employer that you’re worth what they’re paying you.

“Make a bad first impression and you may not be able to recover from it,” says Innes.

‘How quickly do you summarize someone you just met? It’s probably only a few minutes. Make sure you make a strong first impression on everyone you meet – start your new relationships on a positive note. Begin as you wish to continue.”

In addition to first impressions, it’s also important to focus your efforts on building relationships with the members of your new team.

Don’t take notes from The Apprentice, where candidates constantly talk over each other and do nothing to throw team members under the bus in the boardroom.

Instead, experts recommend actively listening to colleagues, asking questions and showing a willingness to learn.

Overmars says: ‘When you get your next role, embrace it with enthusiasm and look for opportunities to learn and integrate into the team.’

The Jobseekers.com expert also recommends trying what he calls the “yes trend.”

“This is where you actively accept all the positive opportunities presented to you during your first month,” he explains.

‘These can include learning experiences, coffee breaks with a manager and even planned ‘fun’ activities that the company offers.

‘This puts you in the best position to fully integrate into any team. But of course, only say yes if you are happy to do what is offered.’

When it comes to whether or not you should really emulate the contestants on The Apprentice, Terry warns that teamwork is key.

“You shouldn’t pretend that success depends purely on one person,” she says. ‘Everyone’s contribution is valuable and brings something different to the team.’