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

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

Now on its eighteenth series, the veteran businessman has seen it all – from outrageously confident candidates to spectacular task failures and team in-fighting. 

Contestants face the wrath of Lord Sugar in the boardroom as the hit show begins its 18th series

The reality show might be team-focused, but with each contestant out solely for themselves, it doesn’t offer the most compelling image of a positive workplace culture.

Perhaps there is not much to learn from contestants on the show about how to secure your dream job – but there are definitely some good examples of what not to do. 

We spoke to careers experts to find out how you should really go about your job search, and how you should act once you successfully nab a new role.

How to write a great CV 

Constructing a CV is a difficult balance. While you want to tell the employer all about your achievements and what you can bring to the role, you don’t want to come across as arrogant or over-sell your skills and experience. 

As we’ve seen time and time again on The Apprentice, those who make inflated claims on their CV always get found out in the end. 

Lorraine Twist, a director at recruitment firm Hays, says it is best to focus on your specific skills rather than general attributes, and show how they apply to the job in question. 

‘In an era of skills-based hiring, it’s important to be specific about the skills you can bring to the table instead of relying on your qualifications or experience to do the talking,’ she says. 

‘Rather than reeling off the day-to-day responsibilities a previous job entailed, ensure 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 The Apprentice candidates seem to have missed is to avoid using buzzwords. 

Ray’n Terry, human resources director at TotalJobs, says: ‘[Don’t] overly rely on buzzwords. Buzzwords can easily detract from the key experience and authentic self you want to highlight in your CV.’

She adds that applicants should remember to pay attention to the finer details, making sure their resume is readable and steers clear of cliches. 

‘Check for typos. Spelling mistakes will distract from your real-life experience and can ruin all the hard work put into a CV,’ she says. 

‘If you can, ask a friend or family member or even an AI tool to go over it with a fresh set of eyes.’

No mistakes: A shoddy CV won’t impress a hard-to-please boss like Lord Sugar

When it comes to the layout and format, it is best to be clear and not too wordy.  

Career expert and author James Innes, also known as The Jobs Guru, says: ‘It is essential for your CV to be easy for the reader to scan quickly and effectively. 

‘You need to separate different sections and insert clear section headings. Avoid long paragraphs; use bullet pointing to break up text into more manageable bite-size chunks.’

It also helps to research what CVs typically look like in your industry, as there may be different expectations depending on the type of role you are going for. 

David Overmars of recruitment website Jobseeker.com says: ‘Craft your CV with a clear, professional format, focusing on relevant experiences and achievements that match the job description you’re applying for. 

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

Nerves are natural: Employers shouldn’t mark you down for being slightly anxious, says Terry

Tips for impressing at an interview

With a strong CV behind you, you might find that you have bagged an interview for your dream job and the chance to prove yourself to an employer. 

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

According to TotalJobs’ Terry, nerves are perfectly natural and not something most employers will be critical of. 

‘Remember, excitement and nervousness feel the same in your body. It shows that something important is about to happen,’ she says. ‘No one should mark you down for being nervous in an interview.’

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

‘You want to demonstrate your truest, most authentic self or it may be a mismatch later down the line,’ she says. 

Careers expert James Innes warns that not researching the role beforehand is one of the worst mistakes a candidate can make

For Innes, the key to acing your interview comes long before your step into the room.

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

‘Not knowing the ins and outs of a job is among the worst blunders you can make in an interview – as is failing to demonstrate to the interviewer how you meet the requirements for the job.’

One thing interviewees might learn from the self-assured candidates on The Apprentice is that it does pay to put a positive spin on things. Even if there are negative experiences that have made you want to leave your current role, it is not a good idea to air these grievances in front of your potential new boss. 

‘Always present yourself positively,’ says Overmars. ‘Avoid negative remarks about past roles or employers, and engage actively with the interviewer to demonstrate your interest and competency. 

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

Appearances also make a difference, Twist tells This is Money, so it is essential to arrive on time and to dress appropriately.

‘Be conscious of your body language and eye contact to help you come across as confident and approachable,’ she says.

Put your best foot forward in your new job  

Having made a successful application, and delivered a successful performance at the interview stage, a job offer might just be around the corner.

However, landing yourself a new job doesn’t mean you have an opportunity to rest on your laurels. instead, it is time to prove to your new employer that you are worth what they are paying you.

‘Make a poor first impression and you might not be able to recover from it,’ Innes says. 

‘How quickly do you sum up someone you’ve just met? It’s probably just a couple of minutes. Make sure that you make a powerful first impression on everyone you meet – start your new relationships off on a positive foot. Start as you mean to go on.’

Beyond first impressions, it is also important to focus your efforts on building relationships with members of your new team. 

Don’t take any notes from The Apprentice, where candidates constantly speak over each other and think nothing of throwing team members under the bus in the boardroom. 

Instead, experts recommending active listening to colleagues, asking questions and showing a willingness to learn.

Overmars says: ‘When you land your next role you should embrace it with enthusiasm, seeking 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 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 may offer.

‘This will put you in the best position to fully ingratiate into any team. But of course, only ever say yes if you are comfortable with doing what is on offer.’

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

‘You shouldn’t act like success is purely down to one person,’ she says. ‘Everyone’s contribution is valid and brings something different to the team.’

This post first appeared on Dailymail.co.uk