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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

WIBU to go on the Apprentice?

59 replies

SewManyChildren · 03/02/2018 19:03

I've recently started a small business and I'm a big fan of The Apprentice. I've watched every series and I've definitely got more common sense than most of the candidates. So this year I filled in the application form.
I've been invited to audition in a couple of weeks on a Saturday morning.
I'd love to go, but my dh is working that day and I'd have to arrange childcare as I couldn't take them with me.
It would take me over 3 hours to get there and I may get asked to leave after only the first part.
I also have no business wear that they've asked for and my hair needs a cut and I don't wear makeup.
But what if I get through to the next bit? What if I actually get selected to go on the show? I wouldn't need to win, just being on the show would give me enough publicity to get my business going. And wouldn't I always think 'what if' if I didn't go?
I'm almost 40 and have only had one 'proper job' and that wasn't in business. I have Aspergers and don't always do well socially, but I feel that I've learnt to play the part well enough to get through this. I've got great leadership skills due to volunteering with a youth organisation for over twenty years.
Should I just try the first audition and see how I get on? There'd be two more half day auditions after the first one, then a commitment for up to nine weeks.

OP posts:
Original poster
SewManyChildren · 03/02/2018 22:57

I'm definitely not a twat, I don't have a big ego and I'm certainly not eye candy. Grin
During the filming, you can't do anything to do with your business or anything and you get a weekly phone call with family.
Dh has two weeks holiday booked already in that time and might be able to switch a couple of weeks. He may also be able to work in a different office so he could do School runs etc.
My business is such that I could completely close down for that time as I mostly sell at events so I wouldn't book any for then.
I'd definitely try not to look too confident and I think I have an interesting story to get me through the selections.
I'm a marmite person anyway so I'm well aware that people don't always like me. I think I'd be fine with that.
I came across someone using Alanna's name selling cakes at an event so maybe she's franchised her business, but I recognised the name.
My business is a product that people would be able to see, so I'm thinking they could google it. And once the program is screened you can pop up on twitter etc and make people aware of you I think.
To be honest, it might be quite amusing to go to the first audition and see how full of it some of them would be Smile

OP posts:
CapnCabinet · 03/02/2018 23:15

We can help you come up with a soundbite that will follow you around forever, you know, like "I truly am the reflection of perfection" (Ricky Martin) or "Everything I touch turns to sold" (Baggs the Brand, RIP).

How about... "I'm a cracker, everyone else is cheese. Full of holes."

Mrsfloss · 03/02/2018 23:19

When you say you have more common sense you do know it’s edited to make you look like a fool!

Go for it!

FlashTheSloth · 03/02/2018 23:26

Do it! I love The Apprentice and a woman with aspergers would be interesting to watch (for me as I have it too).

Not everyone looks like a twat on there. They tend to get weeded out and you are left with the credible ones nearer the end.

Last year's theme was definitely 'who could wear the worst glasses.' You need a 'thing' like that to make you stand out Grin.

Mogginthemog · 03/02/2018 23:41

Totally wouldn’t do it. The show stopped being about looking for credible business people many series ago. Now it’s just a joke. No one comes out of it looking good apart from just maybe the winner. They edit it to play up the candidates weaknesses as opposed to any strengths. Sugar is a bullying little wide boy along with his henchman. If you’re going to succeed you’ll do it without this sorry show.

Sparklesocks · 03/02/2018 23:44

Go for it!

Just prepare yourself to be stuck with horrifically arrogant/useless people in a team if you get on...Grin

RedWineAllMine · 03/02/2018 23:47

Of course you should! No one ever got anywhere not doing anything did they? You could be Lord Sugars business partner. 250K investment is possible here! I hope you go, and if so, I will look forward to watching you hopefully Grin

GreenTulips · 03/02/2018 23:52

Dragons den instead? Great advertising - look at the tangle teezer

grumpy4squash · 03/02/2018 23:55

Yes definitely go. But also definitely wear business wear and get your hair cut. The auditions are about whether you are the 'type' as much as anything else.

So turn up looking like you are already on The Apprentice and you will be halfway there :)

octonaught · 03/02/2018 23:55

I went for an apprentice interview years ago. There were thousands of people. You will spend all day waiting & will be lucky if you even get beyond the researchers to see a producer.
It is an entertainment show. Don’t even waste your time going

Cavender · 03/02/2018 23:57

Think very carefully.

It’s effectively a 9 week long, very public job interview and you won’t have any control over how you are presented.

Once you’ve done it, it can’t be undone, you can’t take it back even if it makes you look dreadful.

Be cautious.

LEMtheoriginal · 04/02/2018 00:00

Are you a bit of a twat? Arrogant and misguided? Thick skinned and lacking in self awareness?

If that's the case go for it? These people are being paraded as wankers as entertainment. It's pretty degrading really.

Fuck that

octonaught · 04/02/2018 05:13

Ps, everyone gets an invitation to interview. If there is. A time on it, that’s because 200 other people got that slot..
You know when they do auditions for the X Factor or Britain’s next Top Model, and people stand in line all day to audition? Well it’s exactly like that.
And you’re going for an audition, not an interview

Jenny17 · 04/02/2018 05:30

Perhaps Dragons Den would be a better program? Less childcare and more serious about business.

InspMorse · 04/02/2018 06:07

No, I wouldn't do it. Concentrate your time & effort into your business.
The A makes a laughing stock out of its contestants.
Vile, obnoxious, egotistic 'candidates' undermine, bully & harasss more sensible/ quieter ones. Why would you want to be part of that circus?

annandale · 04/02/2018 06:17

I'm biased because I think it is the most pernicious show in the history of television Grin but of all the ways to buy advertising for your business, this sounds the most expensive, painful and useless.

BitOfFun · 04/02/2018 06:25

Have you namechanged halfway through this thread, OP? Or is Neddle somebody else entirely?

UnsuspectedItem · 04/02/2018 06:33

I'd steer clear.
It's less the Apprentice and more Big Brother these days.

BiologyMatters · 04/02/2018 06:36

Dragons den might be better. (Id want deborah she seems lovely)

FYC · 04/02/2018 06:42

Since you have Aspergers, how will you feel about the unfairness of being portrayed how the directors decide? The ‘truth’ won’t be relevant to them, they will decide on the narrative and cut accordingly. You won’t be able to tell your side of the story, because it’ll just look like another bitter contestant.

As long as you’re not sensitive to such things, and happy that you wouldn’t get much (if any) down time or recovery time whilst doing it, then go for it. Just make sure you put yourself first. It would be a huge strain on anyone.

Chrys2017 · 04/02/2018 06:42

Can you name one business that's operated by any of The Apprentice runners-up?

NotAgainYoda · 04/02/2018 06:44

No. I think it would be a BAD idea
For the following reasons:

If arranging childcare is difficult for one day; think how hard it will be over a protracted period if you got in

You will have no control over how they present you. They could easily exploit any foibles you have linked to your Aspergers.

The show gives no publicity to businesses until right at the end, when the business are described in more detail. In fact the whole show is a nonsense because I suspect that they already know who the front runners are on the basis of their business plan, so anyone left is kept for the purposes of piss-taking

NotAgainYoda · 04/02/2018 06:45

..Finally bowing down to 'Lord' Sugar would stick in my craw

Mummyoflittledragon · 04/02/2018 07:00

If you do go for it, go for it with your eyes open. I do agree with pps it’s for entertainment value. Personally I don’t think the front runners are necessarily known in advance because some people are skilled liars. The way the candidates have been outed at the interview stage is testament to that. I do think there is a certain formula and they like characters as it is good for audience viewing. Rather like big brother (which is awful imo).

1forAll74 · 04/02/2018 07:10

Most definitely just go for it, big time. you have thought about it, and want to do it,. so this is what you have to do !

I do watch the apprentice every year. It always makes me laugh, when the candidates first introduce themselves, as in, yes, here I am,, the greatest etc, then there obvious naff capabilities are shown.

I am sure it might be a great programme to be involved in, whether you win or not..

Not sure about all the winners in the past, if they have done well..

And some people have made a bit of cash after leaving the show, say no more,,, erm Katie Hopkins,,,

But I do think, that Alan Sugar, despite getting more richer doing this programme. he does like genuine down to earth people.,and not all the stupid assholes that come along

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