Leland+ for Private Equity

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.

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.

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.

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.

IB/Private Equity Networking Tracker

Networking Tracker for IB/PE

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Your PE Recruiting Plan: What You Need to Know to Ace Recruiting

Get a clear, no-nonsense roadmap for navigating the intense Private Equity recruiting process. In this session, you'll learn what top firms actually look for, how to prepare for the fast-moving timeline, and the technical and networking strategies that separate successful candidates from the rest. You'll walk away with a focused, actionable PE recruiting plan you can start executing immediately.

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.

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.

The Funnel Framework: A Tool for Any Technical Question

Use this simple but powerful 3-step thinking structure to break down any investment or business analysis question (e.g., "Would you invest in XYZ?", “How would you evaluate a company?”).

How to crush your HireVue

Common questions and approaches for HireVue