Leland+ for Private Equity

How to Stand Out in Private Equity Recruiting

Private equity recruiting is highly competitive—and standing out takes strategy. This session is designed to help you understand what PE firms look for and how to differentiate yourself in the process. In this event, you’ll learn how to position your experience, prepare effectively for interviews, and build a compelling narrative that highlights your impact. We’ll also cover common mistakes and what top firms value most. Whether you’re early in recruiting or preparing for final rounds, you’ll leave with practical strategies and a stronger edge.

Financial Modeling | 5 Year Annual Model

A 5-year financial model template built for aspiring and early-career investors. Complete with a full P&L, returns, debt paydown.

Breaking Into PE: What It Takes — From Any Background

Private equity recruiting is highly competitive, but there’s no single “right” path to breaking in. In this session, we’ll break down what PE firms actually look for in candidates, how recruiting works at different stages, and how people from non-traditional backgrounds successfully make the jump. You’ll learn how to position your experience, build the right technical and investment skill set, and avoid common mistakes that hold candidates back. Whether you’re coming from banking, consulting, corporate finance, or an unconventional path, this session will give you a clear roadmap for breaking into private equity with confidence.

Landing a Job in Private Equity: How to Stand Out in a Competitive Market

​Breaking into private equity is one of the toughest transitions in finance—and standing out requires more than just strong technical skills. In this session, you’ll learn what top firms really look for in candidates and how to set yourself apart at every stage of the recruiting process. ​In this session, Max A, Isha A., and Kenny J. will cover how to highlight the right experiences on your resume, sharpen your technical and investing skill set, and prepare for the types of interviews PE firms use to identify top talent. Whether you’re currently in investment banking, exploring a career switch, or just starting to learn about the industry, this session will give you actionable strategies to position yourself for success in a highly competitive market.

Deal Walk-Throughs: How to Present Your Experience

Learn how to structure a walk-through of your deal or project experience - even if you had limited exposure - by focusing on key drivers, your contribution, and commercial impact.

Verbal Case Studies: Structure & Strategy

How to structure your thinking under pressure - what questions to ask, what assumptions to make, and how to adapt frameworks.

How to Ace PE Interviews: From Behaviorals and Technicals to Why PE

​Private equity interviews test more than your technical skills—they assess your judgment, communication, and fit. In this workshop, Claire H. and Jonathan L.—three seasoned finance professionals who have successfully navigated and conducted PE interviews—will walk you through what top firms are really looking for. You’ll learn how to craft thoughtful answers to behavioral questions, structure strong technical responses, and nail your “Why PE” story. ​Between Claire’s experience at Morgan Stanley and The Carlyle Group and Jonathan's role as a senior PE associate at General Atlantic, you’ll gain insider insights from both sides of the interview table. Whether you’re preparing for on-cycle recruiting or exploring post-banking opportunities, this session will give you actionable strategies and the confidence to stand out in competitive PE recruiting.

Your Path to PE: Non-IB Strategies, Skills, and Opportunities – AMA

Breaking into private equity without an investment banking background is challenging—but far from impossible. In this AMA-style session, expert Leland coach and former consultant turned PE Connor P. will answer your questions about the alternative paths into PE, the skills that matter most, and how to position a non-IB background competitively.

Technical Interview Guide (40 Questions)

This guide provides 40 questions from topics such as LBO modeling and returns, valuations, accounting, and fundamental business and diligence.

Superday Technicals for IB and PE

​Get ready to crush your Superdays! This session dives deep into the technical interview prep needed to stand out in final-round IB and PE interviews. ​Hosted by Max A. (Former Senior Associate @ Vector Capital Management) you'll review must-know concepts—from valuation and accounting to LBOs and market questions—and learn how to approach complex technicals under pressure. Max will also share real examples and insights from his own experience helping candidates break into top-tier firms.

Master List of PE Firms for Networking

This Firm Database includes thousands of investment banks, private equity (PE) firms, and hedge funds, organized by region — from large money-center banks to small two-person firms.

Situational Questions: Handling “Tell Me About a Time...”

Master the STAR+ framework for behavioural stories (Situation, Task, Action, Result + Reflection). Tackle common questions around leadership, failure, teamwork, and ethical dilemmas.

Strengths & Weaknesses: What to Say (and Avoid)

Break down high-impact strength answers and how to position weaknesses honestly without hurting your candidacy. Includes a list of examples that work in high-stakes settings.

How to Structure a Deal Walkthrough for PE Interviews

Deal walkthroughs in Private Equity interviews are among the toughest hurdles candidates face—interviewers expect you to walk through the logic, assumptions, and risks of an entire investment, often on the spot. To excel, you need a repeatable structure, sharp instincts, and clarity under pressure. ​Join Max M., a former tech investor turned Wharton MBA and one of Leland’s Top 50 Coaches, who has worked on deals at Thomas H. Lee Partners and Goldman Sachs. Max has coached hundreds of candidates across PE, IB, and hedge funds, helping them land offers at top firms. ​In this session, Max will break down a clear framework you can apply during deal walkthroughs: how to decompose the investment thesis, model growth and margins, identify key value levers, and address deal risks. He’ll also walk through common “curve ball” questions and teach you how to think on your feet.

Craft Winning Cover Letters & Resumes for PE: How to Tell a Deal Story

​In private equity recruiting, your deal experience is your story—and how you tell it can make or break your candidacy. In this workshop, James W.—a Wharton MBA with experience as an M&A attorney at Kirkland & Ellis and Paul Weiss, an investment banker at Guggenheim Securities, and a private equity operator at GenNx360—will walk you through how to craft resumes and cover letters that showcase your deal experience with clarity and impact. ​Having sat on every side of the table, James will share what recruiters and hiring managers actually look for, how to structure your deal descriptions, and how to highlight the strategic thinking behind your work. Whether you’re recruiting for your first on-cycle role or positioning yourself for a post-MBA move, this session will give you the insider perspective and tools to stand out in the competitive PE hiring process.

How to Answer “Tell Me About Yourself”

Craft a concise, confident pitch that walks through your background, your "why PE" story, and what makes you different - using the 3-part Narrative Arc framework.

Answering “Why Private Equity?”

Avoid vague or recycled answers. Use a tested framework to build a compelling, specific answer that ties together your skillset, interest in investing, and long-term goals.

How to Nail “Why This Fund?”

Learn how to research a fund beyond their website - including their strategy, culture, and recent deals - and turn that insight into a response that shows deep alignment.

Technical interviews: Overview

This module is all about mastering the finance concepts and frameworks tested in PE interviews - but without wasting time memorizing every textbook definition. You’ll learn how to approach technical questions like an investor, communicate with clarity, and avoid over-complication.