Every year, thousands of entrepreneurial individuals vie for the chance to compete on the hit BBC One reality talent game show ‘The Apprentice.’

One of them this year was Isle of Man hopeful Emily Todd who went through rounds of auditions and even a personality test just to be in with a chance of appearing on the programme.

In her own words, Emily lifts the lid on the auditions process and touches on what the whole experience taught her...

Over 50,000 hopefuls throw their hats into the ring each year for the chance to become Lord Sugar's next business protege on 'The Apprentice'.

And among this sea of applicants, I found myself in the 1% anticipating my shot!

Spoiler alert: I wasn't the chosen one.

But hey, I've got a great story to tell…let me take you on a rollercoaster ride through the audacious audition process.

Picture this: five hours of intense scrutiny, five hours of proving your worth, and watching your new friends falter at the hurdles behind you.

Sounds like a business-themed version of 'The Hunger Games', doesn't it?

Well, welcome to 'The Apprentice' audition saga!

The audition process consisted of five hours of relentless scrutiny.

My nerves were through the roof; I had never felt so simultaneously nervous, excited, scared, and nauseous...at the same time.

The first hour was spent in a dimly lit waiting room, where I decided to leverage my networking skills to make friends with as many people as possible.

By the time the hour was up, everyone knew about the Isle of Man and my unexpected expertise in menstrual cycle coaching!

I even found someone who had family in Ramsey…there's always Manxies wherever you go.

Then came the moment of truth – the first round of auditions.

Eight of us, myself included, were called into a room with chairs resembling the shape of a horse shoe and our numbers arranged on the floor.

The producer (with his flat cap and snazzy clipboard) turned round and said ‘you have one minute, this might be your only minute so tell us why would you be perfect for the show’

After a nerve-wracking minute-long pitch, I managed to secure my spot in the next round.

The subsequent hell wait in a room packed with fellow hopefuls felt like an absolute eternity.

No speaking allowed, just waiting for our names to be called. It felt like torture!

Finally, it was my turn to face the next challenge – a personality test to ensure I was who I claimed to be.

Emotionally drained from the silent room ordeal, I pushed through, eager to progress.

I was through.

Then came another round of waiting, this time to meet Lord Sugar’s business associates.

I was seated in front of them, I had definitely seen them on the TV before. Every business question under the sun was thrown at me.

But I was prepared... ‘Where does Lord Sugar fit into this’.

At the end of the interview, I received a simple yet relieving affirmation – ‘I think it's good.’

This boosted my confidence for the final round.

I was one of the four remaining candidates.

Mic'd up and in front of the camera, I let my personality shine through, the producer asked questions such as ‘spell entrepreneur’ I knew this was going to be a bit of fun.

I left crying tears of joy, the most enduring process I have ever experienced, the hardest interview I have ever experienced.

A sense of relief filled my entire body, it was time for a stiff drink!

In the end, 'The Apprentice' audition taught me invaluable lessons about self-worth, resilience, and the importance of embracing opportunities, even if they don't lead to immediate success.

So, while I may not have walked away with a business partnership, I left with a newfound sense of confidence and a great anecdote to share at parties.

And who knows? Maybe my real entrepreneurial journey is just around the corner, waiting to unfold in ways even Lord Sugar couldn't predict.

Until then, I'll keep chasing my dreams and remembering that sometimes, the greatest victories come from the most unexpected places.

You’re fired!