Leland+ Content Library

Stop Memorizing Answers: Build STAR Stories That Adapt [10/14/2026] (Recording)

Most candidates prepare behavioral interviews by memorizing answers to a list of expected questions. Then the interviewer changes the wording, asks an unexpected follow-up, and the answer falls apart. In this practical session, former Amazon Hiring Manager Giulio Famiglietti will show you how to build a flexible portfolio of STAR stories that can be adapted across different questions without sounding scripted. You’ll learn how interviewers assess evidence, how to choose the right story quickly, and how to keep your answer clear when you are put under pressure. We’ll cover: • Why memorized answers fail • How to build adaptable STAR stories • How one experience can answer several behavioral questions • The most common mistakes in Situation, Task, Action, and Result • How to handle probing follow-up questions • A live before-and-after answer example You’ll leave with a repeatable framework you can use for Big Tech, corporate, and leadership interviews. The session will finish with live Q&A.

The MBA Resume Breakdown: How to Show Impact, Trajectory, and Fit on One Page [7/29/2026] (Recording)

Your MBA resume isn't your job resume with a new header. Adcom is reading it differently than a hiring manager would — and most applicants don't adjust. They submit a resume optimized for getting a job, not for getting into a program. This session covers what they're actually looking for and how to make sure your resume is telling the right story. How Adcom Reads Your Resume -The difference between a hiring manager scan and an adcom read -What adcom is actually pulling from your resume: leadership signals, trajectory, and impact -Why formatting, included components, and structure matter differently for MBA applications Writing Bullets That Show Impact, Not Just Activity -How to quantify impact even when your role wasn't revenue-generating -What strong vs. weak bullets actually look like when an adcom reader is scanning them Telling a Coherent Story Across Your Career -How to frame promotions, transitions, and pivots so they read as intentional rather than accidental -What to do if your career path looks scattered on paper -How to make sure your resume sets up your essays rather than contradicting them

HELP -- I'm Non-Traditional! AMA with Jessica B [6/8/2026] (Recording)

You didn't take the standard path. That doesn't mean you can't get into a top program — it means you need a sharper strategy than most. This is an open AMA for applicants who don't fit the typical mold: career changers, military veterans, physicians, founders, late-career applicants, people with non-linear resumes, or anyone who's ever wondered whether admissions committees will know what to do with them. I've worked with all of you. Since 2006, my clients have come from backgrounds that don't map neatly onto the McKinsey-to-HBS pipeline — and they've gotten into M7 programs anyway, frequently with scholarship. Three times Poets & Quants has recognized me as one of the best admissions consultants in the field. Bring your specific situation. Ask me whether your background is a liability or an asset, how to frame a career that's hard to explain in 250 words, whether EMBA or full-time MBA makes more sense for where you are, or anything else that's been keeping you up at night. No slides. No agenda. Just answers.

How to Approach the GSB 'What Matters Most' Essay [7/10/2026] (Recording)

After this session, you will know how to frame a "What Matters Most" essay that feels personal without losing strategic clarity. We will cover how to identify a theme that is both authentic and differentiated, how to structure your response to signal self-awareness rather than just achievement, and where most applicants lose the reader's attention in the opening lines. Attending live means you can describe your specific situation and hear how the coach thinks through it in real time, which a recording cannot replicate. The coach works with GSB applicants regularly and will share the patterns that distinguish essays that resonate from those that read as generic, giving you a clear lens to apply to your own draft.

Investment Banking Recruiting General Advice - Technical & Networking Prep [9/6/2026] (Recording)

In this session we will go over the updated investment banking timeline, tips for recruiting, and best practices for preparing for interviews and networking calls.

Acing the CBS Interview - from an Interviewer & Alumna [10/9/2026] (Recording)

Getting an interview at Columbia Business School is a major step, but the interview is your chance to turn a strong application into a compelling case for admission. Knowing what interviewers are evaluating and how to communicate your goals, experiences, and fit can make all the difference. This session is for MBA applicants preparing for a CBS interview who want to walk in prepared and confident. You’ll learn how to approach common CBS interview questions, tell your story effectively, and avoid the mistakes that can weaken an otherwise strong interview. Join live to hear from a Columbia Business School alumna and current admissions committee member who has interviewed CBS applicants. She’ll share firsthand insights into what interviewers look for, how to prepare your answers, and how to make a strong impression in the interview. Bring your questions and leave with a clearer strategy for acing your CBS interview.

Breaking Into APM Roles: What It Actually Takes [9/16/2026] (Recording)

Breaking into an Associate Product Manager (APM) role can be challenging when you’re competing for entry-level positions with candidates from a wide range of backgrounds. This panel is designed for aspiring product managers who want to understand what it takes to stand out and build a strong path into their first PM role. You’ll hear experts discuss how to build relevant experience, demonstrate product thinking, approach the recruiting process, and position your background effectively. Attending live gives you the opportunity to hear multiple perspectives from professionals who have helped candidates break into product management and ask questions about your own path in real time. Our panelists will share practical strategies, common mistakes to avoid, and what they see successful APM candidates doing differently. If you want a clearer picture of what it takes to land an APM role, it’s worth joining live.

GMAT Quant: The Most Important Strategies for a 90th-Percentile Score [8/31/2026] (Recording)

In this livestream, I’ll share my recommended GMAT study schedule and teach some of the most important strategies for improving your performance on GMAT Quant. You’ll learn how to structure your preparation, what to prioritize at different stages, and how to use practice questions and full-length exams effectively. We’ll work through representative GMAT-style problems, focusing not just on getting the right answer, but on developing the decision-making skills that lead to better performance. You’ll learn how to recognize common question types, identify efficient solution methods, avoid common traps, and manage your time on difficult questions. By the end of the livestream, you should be able to: * Build a structured GMAT study plan based on your timeline and goals * Identify the Quant topics and skills you should prioritize * Recognize common GMAT Quant question types * Choose more efficient approaches to difficult problems * Improve your pacing and time-management strategy * Use practice questions and mock exams more effectively * Understand how high-scoring test takers approach GMAT Quant I’ve been tutoring standardized tests for more than 20 years and earned a 760 on the GMAT. I received my MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management and earned a master’s degree in Political Science from Stanford University. This session is appropriate for students at a range of score levels, whether you’re just beginning your GMAT preparation or looking to push an already solid Quant score higher.

The Diversity Statement Demystified: Workshopping the Second Essay [6/16/2026] (Recording)

After this session, you will know how to frame your diversity statement as a scholarly asset rather than a personal biography, and how to avoid the structural mistakes that weaken otherwise strong PhD applications. The workshop will focus on what admissions committees actually look for in this essay: a clear through-line between your background and your intellectual trajectory, and a tone that is reflective without being confessional. Attending live means you can bring your specific framing questions and hear how the coach works through cases in real time, which a recording cannot replicate. The coach reviews diversity statements regularly as part of active PhD admissions coaching, and this session reflects the patterns that consistently separate compelling essays from forgettable ones.

Top Things Companies are Looking for in AI PMs [7/29/2026] (Recording)

After this session, you will know exactly what hiring teams are prioritizing when they evaluate AI PM candidates right now. We will cover how to demonstrate genuine AI fluency versus surface-level familiarity, what cross-functional leadership looks like in AI product roles, and how to position prior experience in a way that maps to the specific judgment calls AI teams need from their PMs. Attending live means you can describe your background and hear directly how to reframe it for AI PM roles, rather than applying general advice that may not fit your situation. The coach works inside this space and brings patterns observed across candidates who have successfully made this transition, offering a grounded perspective on what actually separates strong applicants from the rest.

MBA in Europe: How to Choose the Right Business School for You [10/12/2026] (Recording)

Considering an MBA in Europe? Join this livestream for a practical guide to navigating Europe’s top MBA programs, from choosing the right school to building a competitive application. I’m an IESE MBA graduate and have also worked with IESE Admissions, giving me both a candidate’s and an admissions perspective on what makes a strong MBA application. We’ll discuss how top European programs such as IESE, INSEAD, LBS, HEC Paris and others differ in terms of career opportunities, program format, location, cost, admissions and post-MBA outcomes. We’ll cover: How to choose the right European MBA for your goals Key differences between top European business schools What admissions committees really look for How to assess your profile and competitiveness How to build a compelling MBA application 1-year vs. 2-year European MBA programs Common mistakes candidates make during the admissions process

Breaking into PE through an MBA [10/2/2026] (Recording)

Getting into private equity through an MBA runs on a different clock than most people expect: on-cycle recruiting for megafunds often starts within weeks of orientation, while mid-market and growth equity roles move on their own slower, relationship-driven timeline. This session covers how those two tracks actually differ and what to prioritize first depending on which one fits your background. Maria spent time on the traditional finance side before her MBA and has since helped candidates connect prior experience, even a nontraditional one, to a credible PE narrative. She'll talk through what separates candidates who get traction from those sending the same generic outreach everyone else does.

What MBB interviewers really want to see (and how to demonstrate them) [7/22/2026] (Recording)

Are you gearing up for a management consulting interview and wondering what MBB interviewers are really looking for? Join me for an insightful session where we'll dive into the key skills and attributes that top consulting firms like McKinsey, BCG, and Bain value most in candidates, and more importantly, where to best demonstrate these qualities during the interview. With my experience as a Consultant at Boston Consulting Group and a member of the recruiting team, I have firsthand knowledge of what it takes to succeed in these competitive interviews. Whether you're just starting your consulting recruiting journey or a veteran, this session will equip you with the insights you need to stand out. I look forward to helping you succeed in your consulting career!

Med School Secondary Essays and Interview Prep [7/9/2026] (Recording)

After this session, you will know how to approach secondary essay prompts with a clear structure that highlights your most compelling experiences without rehashing your primary application. You will also leave with a framework for answering common medical school interview questions, including how to handle ethical scenarios and "why this school" prompts in a way that feels genuine rather than rehearsed. Attending live means you can bring your actual prompt or a question about your specific background and hear how an experienced coach thinks through it in real time, which a recording cannot replicate. The coach works with medical school applicants throughout the cycle and draws on patterns seen across successful candidates to help you understand what admissions committees are actually looking for.

MBA Essay Strategy: The 3 Questions Every Applicant Needs to Answer [7/23/2026] (Recording)

After this session, you will know how to answer the three questions that shape every competitive MBA essay: why an MBA, why now, and why this school. You will leave with a framework for building a narrative arc that connects your past experience to a specific post-MBA goal, and a clear sense of what makes a school-specific story feel genuine versus generic. Attending live means you can bring your actual background and get a direct response to how your situation fits the framework, which a recording cannot replicate. This coach works with MBA applicants daily and will share the patterns that consistently separate essays that resonate with admissions committees from those that do not.

MBA Strategy Session: Pick the Right Schools, Tell the Right Story, Apply at the [7/28/2026] (Recording)

In this free 45-minute strategy session, I’ll help you understand how to approach the MBA decision before jumping into applications. We’ll cover how to choose the right MBA format, build a smart school list, assess timing, and start shaping a compelling admissions narrative. What we’ll cover: How to decide whether now is the right time for your MBA Full-time vs Executive vs one-year MBA options How to choose schools beyond rankings What admissions committees look for in strong candidates How to connect your career goals, story, and school selection Common mistakes candidates make when starting too late or applying too broadly This session is especially useful for applicants targeting European and global MBA programs such as IESE, INSEAD, LBS, HEC, Oxford, Cambridge, IE, ESADE, and top US schools. I’ll also share practical insights from my experience as an IESE MBA alumnus, admissions collaborator, professor, and MBA coach.

Career Change? Practical advice to find your direction [9/21/2026] (Recording)

Thinking about changing careers but not sure where to start? Whether you want to change **industry, function, company, or simply find a role that better fits your goals making a career move can be challenging — especially in a crowded job market. In this free live session, I'll share practical frameworks and lessons from my experience as an IESE MBA graduate, career coach, MBA admissions coach, and interviewer. We'll cover: How to clarify your next career direction — and decide how big a change you actually need How to position your experience when you're moving into a new industry or function How to identify the right people to network with and turn conversations into opportunities How to get noticed** through your CV, LinkedIn, networking and personal story How to explain a career transition convincingly in interviews How to turn uncertainty into a practical career-change plan I've lived and worked across different countries and industries and have navigated several career transitions myself. Over the past four years, I've also coached MBA candidates and professionals and been involved in interviewing and assessment processes for **Fortune 500 companies and high-growth scale-ups This won't be a generic career lecture. The goal is to give you practical tools you can apply immediately to your own career transition Who is this for? Professionals who are: Considering a career change Exploring a new industry or function Unsure about their next career move Struggling to get noticed in the job market Looking for a more structured approach to networking and job searching Bring your questions — there will be time for Q&A at the end.

Demystifying Law School Admissions: Insider Strategies That Actually Work [9/14/2026] (Recording)

Law school admissions can feel like a black box when you’re trying to understand what actually makes an application stand out. This panel is designed for prospective law students who want practical guidance on how to approach the admissions process and make stronger decisions throughout their application. You’ll hear experts discuss what admissions committees look for, how to build a compelling application, and the best practices they’ve seen work across successful candidates. Attending live gives you the opportunity to hear multiple perspectives from experts who have worked closely with law school applicants and ask questions about your own application in real time. Our panelists will share practical strategies, common mistakes to avoid, and what they believe applicants should prioritize when preparing their applications. If you want a clearer understanding of the law school admissions process and how to approach it strategically, it’s worth joining live.

The Dos and Don't for Using AI in Case Prep [6/25/2026] (Recording)

After this session, you'll know exactly where AI accelerates your case prep and where it quietly works against you. We'll cover how to use AI tools to build structured practice frameworks, why AI-generated feedback often reinforces bad habits in structuring profitability cases, and how to spot the difference between useful output and confident-sounding noise. Attending live means you can describe your actual prep situation and get a direct answer calibrated to where you are right now, not a general response a recording can offer. The coach works with consulting candidates daily and will share the patterns that separate candidates who use AI as a crutch from those who use it to sharpen real case judgment.

McKinsey, Bain and BCG: What It Actually Takes to Get the Offer [8/4/2026] (Recording)

Landing an offer from a top consulting firm takes more than a strong resume—it requires understanding what firms are evaluating at every stage of the recruiting process. This session is designed for consulting candidates who want a clearer picture of what it takes to earn an offer from McKinsey & Company, Bain & Company, or Boston Consulting Group. You’ll learn how candidates are assessed throughout recruiting, the qualities that consistently stand out across successful applicants, and how to strengthen your approach to networking, interviews, and overall positioning. Attending live gives you the opportunity to ask questions about your own recruiting strategy and get real-time guidance on the challenges you're facing. The speaker works closely with consulting candidates and will share the patterns they see across successful hires, along with what they look for when evaluating readiness for top consulting roles. If you want a clearer understanding of what it actually takes to earn an offer, it’s worth joining live.