Sixteen candidates, all affected by the economic crisis, arrive in New York City for a 13-week job interview with Donald Trump. Trump divides them into teams and tasks them with creating a modern workspace. A fight breaks out on one team, and on the other side, the leadership abilities of the Project Manager are called into question. During the presentation, an office hazard leads to an accident, putting one team's fate in jeopardy. In the end, one team pulls out a win, and a candidate on the losing side becomes the first to hear Trump's fateful words: "You're Fired!"

The teams are tasked with running all aspects of a dog daycare and spa. One Project Manager threatens to bench a team member if they continue to act up. On the other side, a fearful team member is resentful when their Project Manager puts them in charge of dogs. A surprise visit from “Dog Whisperer” Cesar Millan puts everyone on their toes. In the boardroom, Trump reveals which team has pulled out the win, and on the losing team another candidate is fired.

Trump has each team create a video with the intention of it becoming popular on the Internet; one team loses a member to a dental emergency; another contestant goes home.

The teams must produce a fashion shoe to launch a new shoe line; one team makes a risky decision while the other team faces a crisis.

Each team must design, sell and operate pedicab tours; one candidate begs Mr. Trump to fire a teammate.

Kristin Chenoweth guest stars when the teams are tasked with staging a backer's audition for two upcoming musicals.

One project manager obsesses over a model and the other strips down to make a racy fashion advertorial.

Kim Kardashian steps in as a guest judge when the teams create in-store displays for her new fragrance.

As the competition narrows, the candidates must produce 30-second spots for FLO TV and AT&T Mobile.

The remaining four must write, direct, produce and star in segments selling Isaac Mizrahi products for QVC.

Season Finale Part I. The two finalists are chosen; one finalist must run a VIP golf tournament featuring Kathy Griffin, while the other manages a Liza Minnelli concert and tournament dinner. Former contestants return to help, but a finalist ends up being short-handed.

Season Finale Part II. One finalist realizes that Mr. Trump's golf team is missing a player for the tournament, while the other finalist must feed 450 people before the Liza Minnelli concert. One candidate is declared The Apprentice.