Donald Trump’s jump from the original Apprentice show to a new Celebrity Apprentice is testament to the entertainment value of the show. But the multi-millionaire is also spreading a valuable lesson through his tough love in the workplace. The reality TV show has hit at the heart of the real job market. Few hiring managers will admit to screening for toughness, but the tougher you are the more apt you are to get hired.

Hiring managers look for mental and emotional toughness and resilience. These traits are even more valued in a compassionate job like nursing or social work than in a testosterone-driven stock trading room. Importantly, workers who possess mental toughness are likely to deal better with stress in the workplace, the major reason for employee absence.

Absence due to stress costs companies billions of dollars each year.
One in four Americans has taken a mental health day to cope with stress. And 24 percent of workers report that they have quit a job due to stress. All tallied, over one million workers are absent each day due to stress.

In your next job interview, consider mentioning your daily yoga and meditation routine and providing evidence of your ability to perform well under stress and when facing adversity.

Learn from the lesson of rock star Gene Simmons who took his firing from The Apprentice with grace. Donald liked him, “You are the toughest guy I know.” No, I’m a softie,” was Gene’s fatal response. “Gene, you’re fired!”