Leland+ Content Library

Non-US Elite MBA Pathways: IMD, SDA Bocconi & HEC Paris

This session moves beyond school rankings to give you the strategic framework for building a powerful European career. Join cross-cultural career coach Caolan Hunter (ex-On, Ogilvy) to learn how to integrate your career, education, and long-term life goals into a coherent international strategy. We will explore the specific pathways offered by three of Europe's most influential business schools: IMD, SDA Bocconi, and HEC Paris. By the end of this session, you will understand the unique strengths of these European powerhouses and leave with a strategic shortlist of MBA targets aligned with visa reality, your career goals, and your personal leadership style. Learning Objectives: What You Will Learn 1. The European MBA Power Centers: Discover how IMD, SDA Bocconi, and HEC Paris function as distinct hubs of influence and talent, each with a unique philosophy and network. 2. Decoding European Work & Visa Realities: Get a clear-eyed view of the post-MBA landscape in Switzerland, Italy, and France. We'll analyze post-study work rights, the practicalities of corporate hiring for non-EU nationals, and pathways to long-term residency in each country. 3. Strategic Career Positioning for Europe: Understand how hiring logic for top roles in Europe differs from the US. We'll explore how IMD's focus on executive leadership, Bocconi's dominance in luxury and finance, and HEC's pipeline into continental consulting and strategy can shape your career. Key Outcomes: What You Will Walk Away With 1. A New European Map: You'll see IMD, SDA Bocconi, and HEC Paris not just as top schools, but as distinct platforms for launching specific and ambitious European career trajectories. 2. Visa & Employability Clarity: You'll be able to confidently navigate the nuances of the Swiss, Italian, and French post-MBA work environments, aligning your choice with your passport and life goals. 3. A Personal Viable Pathway Map: You will leave with the tools to build a personal map connecting your background and ambitions to the right program, industry, and country. 4. Unmatched Access Insights: You'll understand why the intimate, senior cohort at IMD, the industry-specific ecosystem at Bocconi, and the elite Grande École network of HEC can provide unparalleled access that larger programs cannot replicate.

Finance to MBA: Showing Impact and Proving Passion

Breaking into an MBA program from a finance background takes more than strong credentials—it's about showing real impact and authentic passion. In this session, Leland coaches John N. (Kellogg MBA), Faisal K. (Booth adcom), and Kelsey K. (CBS adcom) will share how to differentiate yourself, connect your experience to your goals, and stand out in essays and interviews. Perfect for finance professionals aiming to make a powerful impression in Round 2.

Land a Role as an Tiktok APM - Applications Open Now

Curious what it takes to stand out in TikTok’s Associate Product Manager (APM) program? Join Dessy K., Hiring Manager at TikTok, for a session on how to position yourself for success in one of the most competitive early-career product roles in tech. Drawing on her experience hiring and mentoring PMs, Dessy will share what top candidates do differently—from crafting standout applications to acing interviews and communicating product sense.

Demo: Mastering the Technical Interview

This demonstration shows how in-depth we get with research for technical interviews. This specific example looks at product management as an example, but the skills displayed can be used for any industry.

MBA to Consulting: How to Nail the Interview

Consulting interviews are some of the toughest in the MBA world—and breaking into a top firm requires mastery of both case and behavioral components. In this workshop, Erik Z. —a former Bain consultant and manager who spent three years on the “other side” of recruiting—will walk you through exactly how to prepare. Having conducted 300+ mock interviews, authored an MBA interview case at Bain, and coached candidates (including many from non-traditional backgrounds) into MBB, Erik brings insider knowledge of what firms truly look for. He’ll cover networking strategy, resume positioning, case frameworks, behavioral excellence, and the nuances that help you stand out during recruiting season. Whether you're prepping for on-campus recruiting or pivoting into consulting post-MBA, this session will give you the clarity and confidence to excel.

GRE Quant Workshop: Exponents & Roots - Foundational Theory

Exponent and root questions on the GRE Quant section can feel simple at first glance but often test whether you truly understand the underlying rules. This session is designed for students who want to build a strong foundation before tackling harder problems or timed practice. You’ll learn the core exponent and radical rules, how to simplify expressions step by step, and how to avoid the common conceptual mistakes that lead to lost points.

Successful Environmental NGO Cover Letter

Example cover letter that was submitted as part of an application package for an environmental nonprofit

School Agnostic Recommender Guide

Non-program specific recommender guide with templates.

Product Manager Resume Example

Master's in Info Systems Student - Secured a Capital One Product Management Full-Time Offer

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.

Get Started on Your Deferred MBA Panel: Actionable Tips from Experts

Kick off your Deferred MBA journey with a panel of top Leland coaches who have helped countless applicants earn admits to programs like HBS 2+2, GSB Deferred, and Wharton Advance Access. They’ll break down what you should be doing right now—from crafting your narrative to securing impactful recommenders—to stay competitive ahead of this year’s deadlines. You’ll leave with clear, actionable next steps to start your application strong.

Oops!: How to recover and still ace the case

We've all been there - the case is going well, but you hit a wall or make a mistake, and suddenly things seem to be going downhill. Don’t panic - great candidates make mistakes all the time. What separates the pass from the fail is how smoothly you recover. In this webinar, we’ll break down exactly how to bounce back when things go sideways in a case. You’ll learn how to: - Recognize when you’ve veered off track (before the interviewer does) - Correct mistakes confidently without derailing the conversation - Manage nerves and avoid the “spiral” effect after a slip-up - Turn errors into moments that impress interviewers with poise and clarity - Use "zero defect" strategies to prevent common errors We’ll walk through real examples of common case pitfalls — and model what strong recoveries sound like. By the end, you’ll have a practical playbook for staying composed, regaining momentum, and delivering a strong finish even when the start wasn’t perfect. If you’ve ever thought “welp, I blew it,” this session is for you. Come learn how to turn your oops moments into offers.

Personal Efficiency Playbook

Getting to Inbox Zero, Time Management, and AI

How to Ace PM Interviews

Product management interviews can feel daunting—but with the right frameworks and preparation, you can walk into every conversation confident and ready. This session breaks down the core components of PM interviewing, from product sense and analytical thinking to execution, communication, and behavioral storytelling. You’ll learn how to structure clear, compelling answers, showcase your problem-solving skills, and avoid the common pitfalls that trip up candidates. Whether you're targeting Big Tech, high-growth startups, or rotational PM programs, this workshop will give you the tools to stand out and make a lasting impression.

The 5 Toughest MBA Interview Questions

Slides from event on 1/8/26 - Get everything you need to answer the 5 toughest MBA interview questions, including sample answers!

What Deferred MBA Essays Need to Accomplish, and How to Get There

Deferred MBA essays are less about polished resumes and more about potential, clarity of goals, and long-term impact, and getting them right requires a very specific approach. In this session, you’ll learn what top programs actually expect deferred candidates to demonstrate, how admissions committees read these essays differently from traditional MBA applications, and how to structure your responses to show maturity, self-awareness, and trajectory. We’ll break down common pitfalls, winning themes, and practical steps to move from a blank page to a compelling final draft with confidence.

Managing Difficult Stakeholders

Learn the different archetypes and how best to manage and work with different stakeholders

Speaking Up for Your Success Workbook

Neurodivergent Series - Advocacy

How to Ace Product Management Technical Interviews

Product management interviews often include technical questions that catch candidates off guard—from system design to product architecture and data thinking. Many strong applicants struggle not because they lack the knowledge, but because they don’t know how interviewers expect them to think through these problems. In How to Ace Product Management Technical Interviews, you’ll hear from experienced PM coaches who regularly work 1:1 with candidates preparing for competitive product roles. This panel gives you access to the frameworks, evaluation criteria, and preparation strategies they use when helping clients get ready for technical PM interviews.

Case Walkthrough with a Former Bain Interviewer: Mergers and Acquisitions

M&A cases are a core part of consulting interviews, but many candidates struggle to structure them clearly and communicate their thinking under pressure. This session is for candidates preparing for consulting interviews who want a better approach to tackling mergers and acquisitions cases. You’ll learn how to break down an M&A prompt, structure your analysis across synergies and risks, and walk through a case the way interviewers expect to see it.