
Private Equity Recruiting & Preparation Timeline
See a typical investment banking to private equity recruiting timeline and ensure you're prepared for networking, headhunter meetings, and interviews.


Private Equity Resume Example - IB Background
See a resume that landed an offer at Onex Partners. Learn to craft a resume that gets you noticed for top private equity roles.


What Sets Successful Private Equity Candidates Apart
Private equity recruiting is highly competitive, and the candidates who win offers distinguish themselves in ways that go far beyond technical competence. In this session, you’ll learn what top PE firms actually look for, how interviewers evaluate judgment, ownership, and investment thinking, and how to position your background to signal long-term potential.


Top 5 Tips to Break Into PE
Private equity is one of the most competitive and sought-after careers in finance—but with the right strategy, it’s absolutely within reach. In this session, expert Leland coach and PE investor at KKR Kenny J. will share their top five tips for breaking into PE, from building the right technical foundation to navigating the recruiting process strategically. You’ll learn what top firms look for, how to stand out in interviews, and how to position your background for success in this high-stakes industry.


Personal Assessment Guide – Are You a Fit for Private Equity?
Provides a self-assessment framework to help individuals evaluate whether their skills, interests, and career goals align with private equity.


Key Skills for Success in Private Equity: Analytical, Communication & Operational Excellence
Outlines the essential skills needed to succeed in private equity, focusing on analytical rigor, strong communication, and operational effectiveness.


Resume Example: Macquarie & Flexstone Partners Offers
Check out this resume from a Leland customer who got offers in Private Equity.

The Perfect Finance Resume Template
This resume template is designed to help candidates pass initial resume screens and compete for investment banking and private equity roles. It includes structured sections, formatting guidance, and examples that reflect what recruiters typically look for during early-stage recruiting.


10 Common Mistakes Applicants Make in Private Equity Recruiting - And How to Avoid Them
Private Equity (PE) recruiting is one of the most competitive processes in finance. Whether you're an investment banking analyst, a management consultant, or coming from corporate development, breaking into PE takes more than just technical know-how. It’s about strategy, preparation, and self-awareness.




Simple One-Tab PE Roll-Up LBO Model
This LBO model allows you to model a market consolidation opportunity through add-on deals. It includes deal setup, a mini-model, a sensitivities chart, and a sheet for S&U and yield.


PE 101 for Interviewees and Professionals: Deal Dynamics, Diligence, & Value Creation
Private equity can feel complex from the outside, but understanding deal flow, diligence, and value creation is essential—whether you're preparing for interviews or entering the industry. In this session, Saleem H., an early graduate from a non-target school who has built a career in private equity after consulting, will break down the fundamentals in a way that’s approachable and practical. Having mentored dozens of candidates into top MBA programs, MBB and Tier-2 consultancies, boutique firms, and competitive PE roles, Saleem brings hands-on experience and a passion for supporting nontraditional, first-gen, and early-career professionals. He’ll walk you through how firms evaluate deals, where analysts and associates drive the most impact, and what interviewers expect you to know about value creation from day one.


Wine Import Venture Feasibility Model (Excel)
Excel-based feasibility and financial model for planning a wine import venture. Enter SKU-level pricing, landed costs, shipment size, channel mix.


How to Network Effectively for Competitive Finance Roles
Networking is a critical differentiator in competitive finance recruiting, but most candidates approach it inefficiently or inconsistently. This session breaks down how to build genuine relationships, conduct high-impact outreach, and turn conversations into real opportunities across investment banking, private equity, hedge funds, and related roles. You’ll learn how to prepare for networking conversations, follow up strategically, and avoid common mistakes that quietly hurt your chances.


IB/PE Networking Tracker Tool
This networking tracker helps you organize and track outreach to investment banking and private equity professionals. It provides a structured way to log contacts, conversations, and follow-up actions throughout the recruiting process.

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.


Headhunter Preferred Resume Format for PE/HF
This resume is an example of the preferred resume format from a top PE/HF headhunter. This is a good format to match in making your own resume.

Frequently Asked Questions About Resume Writing
Many people have asked me a set of questions frequently. These questions will answer some of your questions quickly!


Breaking into Private Equity Operations
Private equity operations roles offer a unique opportunity to work closely with portfolio companies and drive real value beyond the deal—but breaking in requires a different skill set and story than traditional investing roles. In this session, you’ll learn what PE operations teams actually do, how firms evaluate candidates, and how to position your background in consulting, industry, finance, or startups for these roles.
