Leland+ Content Library

Making Big Pivots: Breaking into a New Industry

Thinking about a major career change but unsure how to make the leap? This session is designed for professionals considering a big pivot—and looking for a clear, strategic way to break into a new industry. In this panel, we’ll unpack what it really takes to successfully transition careers, from identifying transferable skills and reframing your experience to building credibility in a new field. You’ll learn how to tell a compelling career story, network with intention, and avoid the most common mistakes career switchers make. Whether you’re coming from consulting, finance, education, operations, or another background entirely, this session will give you practical frameworks and real-world strategies to help you pivot with confidence and land your next role.

Mock McKinsey PEI with 2 McKinsey Alums

The McKinsey Personal Experience Interview (PEI) can be just as challenging as the case—if not more. In this session, two McKinsey expert coaches James H. and Christina B. will walk through a live mock PEI, showing you exactly how top firms evaluate leadership, impact, and problem-solving in behavioral interviews. ​Whether you’re just beginning your prep or refining your final stories, this event will give you a front-row look at how to succeed in one of the most critical parts of the McKinsey interview process.

Mock McKinsey PEI with 2 McKinsey Alums

Join this live mock McKinsey Personal Experience Interview led by two former McKinsey consultants who have interviewed and evaluated real candidates. You’ll see exactly how strong PEI answers are structured, what interviewers listen for, and where candidates commonly lose points. This session will help you understand how to tell clear, compelling stories that demonstrate leadership, impact, and fit with McKinsey’s values.

Talking Your Way into McKinsey (with an ex-Personality Hire!)

Breaking into McKinsey requires more than strong credentials—it’s about how you present yourself. Join this session to learn how top candidates communicate, connect, and stand out in interviews. You’ll discover strategies for behavioral and fit questions, how to showcase your strengths authentically, and what interviewers look for beyond technical skills. Whether you’re preparing for first-round or final interviews, you’ll leave with actionable tips to elevate your performance.

Nail the McKinsey Personal Experience Interview

The McKinsey Personal Experience Interview is one of the most distinctive and challenging parts of the consulting process, and many candidates underestimate how different it is from standard behavioral interviews. This session is for candidates preparing for McKinsey who want to approach the PEI with more structure and confidence. You’ll learn how to select and refine your stories, demonstrate leadership and impact with specificity, and communicate your experiences in a way that aligns with what McKinsey evaluates.

Your Roadmap to a Career in Consulting

Breaking into consulting can feel confusing when there are multiple entry points, recruiting timelines, and expectations that aren’t always obvious. This session is for candidates who want a clearer roadmap for building a strong path into consulting. You’ll learn how successful applicants position their experience, how recruiting typically unfolds across firms, and what skills and preparation tend to matter most during the process.

Breaking into AI with a Non-Technical Background [5/6/2026] (Recording)

Breaking into AI can feel out of reach if you don’t come from a technical background, but there are more accessible paths than most people realize. This session is for professionals looking to transition into AI without coding-heavy experience. You’ll learn how to position your existing skills, identify entry points across roles, and build practical experience that signals capability in an AI-driven landscape. Join live to ask questions about your own background and get guidance on how to make the transition. The speaker works with individuals navigating career pivots into AI and will share the patterns they see across those who successfully break in. Expect practical advice and insights similar to what’s discussed in 1:1 coaching conversations.

How to Land an Interview at an MBB Firm

​McKinsey, Bain, and BCG are among the most competitive employers in the world—so how do you actually land an interview? In this panel, three top Leland consulting coaches will share the insider strategies, application tactics, and networking approaches that helped them break into MBB and that they now use to coach candidates into these firms. ​Hear from James H., a Columbia MBA, former McKinsey consultant, and ex-McKinsey interviewer; Annika F., a Bain consultant, HEC Paris MBA, and ICF-certified coach; and Sushmitha R., an MIT Sloan alum and former BCG summer consultant. Together, they’ll break down how to craft standout resumes, position nontraditional backgrounds, build meaningful networking connections, and align your story with what MBB teams are truly looking for. Whether you're an undergrad, MBA student, or career-switcher, this session will give you a clear roadmap to landing the interview that changes everything.

Turn a Non-Traditional Background Into a Super Power as an MBA Applicant

Learn how to leverage your unique experiences and stand out in the competitive MBA application process.