Leland+ Content Library

Get Your Foot in the Door with Top Banks

Breaking into top investment banks can feel out of reach—but the right approach can open doors. Join Get Your Foot in the Door with Top Banks, a focused session designed to help you navigate the early stages of IB recruiting with confidence. In this event, you’ll learn how to position your profile for top banks, approach networking strategically, and make a strong first impression with recruiters and professionals. We’ll cover common entry points, key mistakes to avoid, and practical steps you can take right now to improve your chances. Whether you’re early in your journey or looking for clearer direction, you’ll leave with actionable insights and a stronger game plan.

Top 5 Tips to Break into IB

Breaking into investment banking is competitive—but with the right strategy, it’s achievable. Join Top 5 Tips to Break into IB, a focused session designed to give you clear, actionable guidance on how to stand out in the recruiting process. In this event, we’ll cover the five most important factors for breaking into IB, from building a strong resume and networking effectively to preparing for interviews and positioning your story. You’ll gain practical insights you can apply immediately, whether you’re just starting out or refining your approach. Walk away with clarity, confidence, and a smarter strategy for breaking into investment banking.

How to Land a Role in Business Strategy & Operations

Strategy & Ops roles sit at the center of how companies make decisions, solve problems, and scale—and breaking in requires a mix of strategic thinking, analytical skill, and crisp communication. In this session, you’ll learn what hiring managers look for, how to position your background (even if it's nontraditional), and how to prepare for the case, analytical, and behavioral components of the interview process. We’ll also cover how to craft a compelling narrative, build a targeted resume, and navigate recruiting across startups, tech, and high-growth companies.

Wharton Future Goals Essay Example

This is an admitted students' essay answering Wharton's prompt: How do you plan to use the Wharton MBA program to help achieve future goals.

Master's Program Decision Guide

Congratulations on your offer of admission! Use this guide to evaluate your options and make an informed decision.

Successful Environmental NGO Cover Letter

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

Stanford Masters' Student Resume

Employer-approved resume of recent Stanford graduate

Sales & Trading Interview Prep

A concise guide to help you sharpen your pitch, talk markets confidently, and stand out in Sales & Trading interviews.

S&T Interview Prep: Bond Market Fundamentals

A review of bond market fundamentals, covering key concepts and resources to build a strong fixed income foundation.

S&T Interview Prep: Key Options Terms & Payoffs

A clear overview of key options terms and payoffs, designed to build intuition and strengthen your derivatives foundation.

Your Ticket to STEM Graduate School Admission

Short guide to STEM graduate programs, required application documents, and essay advice

Your Guide to STEM Graduate School Admissions

Recording of a Leland webinar I presented on 02 Jan 2026 demystifying STEM graduate school admissions types and deliverables

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!

Example: MIT Sloan Cover Letter

This is an example cover letter for the MIT Sloan MBA application

Quantitative Finance Career Guide

A starter guide for careers, skills, and companies related to quantitative finance.

Deferred MBA Red Flags & How to Reframe Them

Deferred MBA applications are scrutinized closely—and small missteps can raise big questions. In this workshop, top Leland coach and former AdComs at USC Avi L. will break down the most common red flags admissions committees see in deferred MBA candidates, from experience gaps to unclear goals. You’ll learn how to reframe weaknesses with honesty and strategy, strengthen your overall narrative, and present a compelling case for your long-term potential.

Technical Interviews & Core Finance Concepts

Technical interviews are where candidates rise or fall, and mastering the fundamentals is essential to getting an offer. In this session, you'll learn how to approach the most commonly tested finance concepts—from valuation and accounting, to financial statement analysis and market drivers—in a clear, structured, and interview-ready way. We’ll cover typical technical questions, what interviewers listen for in strong answers, and how to avoid the common mistakes that signal inexperience. Whether you’re starting from scratch or sharpening your edge before first-rounds, you’ll walk away with frameworks, study priorities, and practice tactics to approach technicals with confidence and communicate like a future banker.

How to Become an AI Leader At Your Company

AI leadership isn’t just about technical expertise—it’s about influence, strategy, and execution. In this session, expert Leland coach and AI Program Director at Fabletics Logan K. will break down how to position yourself as a trusted AI leader within your organization, regardless of your formal role. You’ll learn how to identify high-impact opportunities, communicate AI value to stakeholders, and drive adoption responsibly and effectively.

Navigating the MBA Waitlist Process

We will discuss how to navigate the waitlist process for MBA programs. While it is quite frustrating to not have closure after your decision, there is still hope! I will walk through my proven strategies for maximizing your chances of converting a waitlist into an acceptance! This will include: - General process and timelines - Common reasons people are waitlisted - How to plan structure your updates - What else you can do to improve your chances - Q&A

Beyond the Checklist – Shadowing, Volunteering & Experiences That Actually Matter

Dental schools look for far more than hours logged on a checklist. In this session, expert Leland coach and former Dean at Columbia Ellen W. will break down which shadowing, volunteering, and hands-on experiences actually move the needle in admissions—and how to approach them with intention. You’ll learn how to choose opportunities that align with your story, reflect on them effectively, and avoid common mistakes that weaken otherwise strong applications.