"Realize that this is a business interview - not entertainment value." - Carolyn Kepcher

Carolyn Kepcher is the Chief Operating Officer and General Manager for the Trump National Golf Club in Briarcliff Manor, New York and The Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey. She has been with the Trump Organization since 1994 and currently oversees the day-to-day operations of over 250 employees at both Trump golf properties.

NBC.com caught up with Carolyn the week that her now-best-selling book, Carolyn 101: Business Lessons from The Apprentice's Straight Shooter, hit stores.

Carolyn, what has surprised you most about the female candidates on The Apprentice? It seems they've evolved into more aggressive types as the show has progressed. Would you agree?
I've been told that I've come across a little harsher towards the women. I don't think I've changed. I think the candidates have changed. It was definitely a new breed [on Season 2] and I found them very different from the first season's group. They were a little cutthroat and to a degree, that's okay. But they seemed to concentrate more so on pointing fingers than on actual facts.

I found [the season two] group a little more exhausting than the first group. The first group had one- or two-hour boardrooms, now we seem to be going three to five hours! I don't see too many people taking blame for errors they've made. I hear a lot of long-winded comments and excuses. But I will say, I think all the candidates as a whole are dynamic people. I think they're strong people. I think they're very intelligent people. The circumstances are tough. They have little sleep; they're in tight quarters.

So what do you say in response to the claim that it's you who was harsher?
I think it's funny because in the 1st episode [of season two] the men were in the boardroom and Rob lost. I gave Rob somewhat of a hard time, but it was a new season, the first episode, the first boardroom. Just trying to get everyone's name right was still a challenge. The next three episodes were all women in the boardroom, so to say I was harder on the women than the men at that point was crazy. I had yet to go up against the men.

Are the stakes raised in this new season?
That's a fair statement.

Will we see an even tougher Carolyn?
I have no idea! It all depends on what's thrown in front of me I suppose. (Laughs)

What advice do you have to future candidates on surviving the boardroom?
Treat it like an interview, like it's supposed to be. Don't think about what you should be doing or what Donald Trump is all about, or what Donald thinks of you, or what George and I think. Just be yourself. Realize that this is a business interview - not entertainment value. It's a business and guess what? I'm not an actor, nor is George or Donald. We're business people. People always ask "is that you in the boardroom?" How could it not be me in the boardroom? I'm a businesswoman, not an actress. Expect to be in the boardroom with a businesswoman. It's not about what happened last season or in episode 4 or what Mark Burnett thinks. It's an interview. We want to hire someone who is the best fit for the Trump Organization.

Did you have any mentors while making your way in the business world?
I did, John Murray. When I first joined "Summit" (Beck Summit Hotel Management Group), I worked under John. He taught me everything. I was initially in Sales & Marketing, but he got me into operations. He pushed me into budgets. He was never intimidated by me wanting to learn. He moved on and then I moved on.

What is your #1 tip for females to succeed in the business world?
I used to call it being stubborn, but now I call it being persistent - which is a more positive word.

As in, standing up for yourself?
It's more than that. The book is actually an account of how I did it. The only reason I wrote the book is because I've had numerous inquiries asking me how I got to where I am. It was a way to answer all the questions and to say, "This is what worked for me." If it can work for you, great. I'm not going to say it'll work for everyone. It's through hard work.

If this is Trump's last season, who do you think could be his successor?
[laughs] Oh, I couldn't comment on that! Who can replace Donald Trump?



Read Donald's Interview

Read George's Interview

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