Leland+ Content Library

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.

3 contributors

Kellogg Essay and Short Answer Examples – Leadership, Culture, and Collaboration

A compelling set of responses reflecting on cross-cultural leadership, collaborative problem-solving, and a deep commitment to values like solidarity, inclusion, and ethical influence in high-stakes environments.

Olga C.

Product Management and Roadmaps

Learn what a product roadmap is, why it's important to your success as a product manager, and how to create an effective roadmap.

Daniel M.

Free

Resume Builder and Evaluator

0 views

Ratios and Mixtures Examples

This deck teaches the core concepts of ratios, proportions, and mixtures as seen in the GMAT and GRE. It includes example problems similar to those on the exam. Concepts and problems are explained in a video walkthrough by the author in "GMAT & GRE: Ratios and Mixtures".

Sujoy Kumar D.

BSchool blogs and newspapers

A curated list of top business school blogs and student newspapers to help candidates stay informed on programs, culture, and admissions insights.

Gwen T.

Personal Capacity and Stretch

Learn how to accurately gauge your workload limits and push for growth without crossing the line into chronic burnout.

Andrew H.

Selecting and Guiding Recommenders

Learn how to choose the right recommender and equip them with stories that align with Kellogg’s leadership criteria.

Kristen J.

Permutations and Combinations Examples

This deck breaks down permutations and combinations for the GMAT and the GRE. It covers both basic and advanced concepts with example questions. Concepts and problems are explained in a video walkthrough by the author in "Permutations and Combinations for the GMAT and GRE".

Sujoy Kumar D.

Unconventional and Illegal Buckets

An overview of unconventional and illegal buckets for management consulting.

Ian G.

8 Steps to a Complete MBA App: 3) Core Values, Superpowers & LOR Strategy

Applying to business school can feel overwhelming! You have dozens of moving pieces: essays, short answers, video content, resume, recommendations, outreach, research, and more. This workshop is the third of a structured 8-part MBA Identity Mapping series designed to take you from fragmented tasks to a clear plan of action. In this session, you will identify your core values and defining strengths and begin aligning your Letters of Recommendation with your overall narrative. These sessions walk you step by step through building one fully aligned MBA application. In every workshop, you will be assigned tasks to complete over the next two weeks, keeping you organized and accountable. By the end, you will have strong, authentic essays and a cohesive narrative that runs consistently through your resume, goals, recommendations, school strategy, and interviews. You are absolutely welcome to attend individual sessions if you only need focused help on a specific component(s) of your MBA application. Event 3 clarifies your defining characteristic and begins the recommendation process: • Identify 3–5 core values and superpowers that consistently appear across your key stories. • Define what each strength truly means in your life and how it shows up in action. • Ensure your positioning reflects who you actually are, not who you think admissions wants you to be. • Learn how to select recommenders and ensure strong narrative alignment. This is the phase where your stories become identity. Instead of a collection of experiences, you now articulate the defining qualities that connect your past, present, and future. The MBA Identity Mapping process has guided 100+ applicants into every M7 program, all other top 20 U.S. programs, and leading international programs including INSEAD, London Business School, IESE, Esade, Oxford, Cambridge, NUS, and more. Clients consistently describe it as transformative because it replaces scattered effort with forward momentum and strategic clarity. If you are ready to clarify what truly defines you and ensure your recommendations reinforce your positioning, this is your next step.

M G.

One Month to Deadlines AMA: What do Admissions Officers Recommend?

You've been working hard for months now and the finish line is almost in sight. There is a lot of information out there, but you have burning questions that you want to ask Admissions Officers who have experience admitting applicants to every top business school around the world. Join Faisal and Christine! During this session, we'll cover all your questions in a live AMA ("Ask Me Anything") format. Everything from essays and application strategy to interviews and recommendations.

2 contributors

Free

Breaking Into British Companies: Your Strategic Career Journey

Think BP, Shell, Unilever, Rolls-Royce, Diageo, and GSK. These prestigious British brands represent just the tip of the iceberg in America's business landscape. Behind these household names are remarkable success stories like David, who climbed from business analyst to Managing Director at a major British financial services firm, Rachel who rose to President of a British consumer goods subsidiary, and James who became Chief Commercial Officer at a leading British aerospace company. What unites their journeys? They all grew through the ranks within British companies, embraced strategic assignments to London and beyond, and now enjoy dynamic leadership roles with exceptional compensation packages that reward both innovation and commercial acumen. With British companies accelerating their US market expansion and establishing new innovation hubs across America, we're witnessing an unprecedented window of opportunity for ambitious professionals. Beyond the famous brands everyone recognizes, there are 4,500 British subsidiaries operating in the US, each offering significant professional opportunities for those who understand how to navigate their distinctive culture. British companies share one critical characteristic that sets them apart: they actively seek talented American personnel who can bridge markets and they reward entrepreneurial thinking with clear advancement paths and substantial compensation. Their approach combines British values of pragmatic innovation, collaborative leadership, and commercial excellence with appreciation for strategic agility and results-driven performance. What if this commercially-focused, relationship-driven path to leadership is exactly your calling?

Jörn B.

Non-US Elite MBA Pathways: INSEAD, HKUST & IESE

This session moves beyond school rankings to give you the strategic framework for building a truly global 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 start by exploring the specific pathways offered by elite non-US business schools like INSEAD, HKUST, and IESE, using them as a lens to understand the bigger picture of strategic mobility. By the end of this session, you will stop thinking “US or nothing” and leave with a concrete, strategic shortlist of serious non-US MBA targets aligned with visa reality, your career goals, and your risk tolerance. Learning Objectives: What You Will Learn 1. The Real Global MBA Landscape: Understand the true power centers of business education beyond the United States and how they offer distinct advantages. 2. Visa & Post-Study Work Reality: Decode the practical realities of post-MBA life in Europe and Asia, focusing specifically on post-study work rights, the ease of corporate hiring for international graduates, and viable pathways to long-term residency. 3. Strategic Career Positioning: Learn how hiring logic differs from the US and why the smaller, more international cohorts at these schools can provide stronger access. We’ll explain where non-US MBAs over-perform, particularly in sectors like luxury, consulting, sustainability, finance, and deep tech. Key Outcomes: What You Will Walk Away With 1. A Reframed Worldview: You'll gain a new understanding of INSEAD, HKUST, and IESE not as "alternatives," but as premier, strategic choices for a global career. 2. Visa & Employability Clarity: You'll have clear, actionable insights into the post-MBA visa and employment landscape in Europe and Asia, ensuring your school choice leads to a real career outcome. 3. A Personal Viable Pathway Map: You will leave with the tools to build a personal map connecting your background to the right program and region, aligning your education with your long-term life goals. 4. Strategic Confidence: You will have the confidence and evidence to know that for many career paths, a non-US MBA is a strategic advantage, not a second-tier option.

Caolan H.

Deferred MBA M7 Series: Columbia

Applying to Columbia Business School’s deferred MBA program is a unique opportunity—and a uniquely competitive one. In this session, Melanie E.—a multi-disciplinary coach featured in Forbes, NBC, ABC, CBS, Business Insider, and TEDx—will break down exactly what CBS is looking for and how to position yourself as a standout candidate. With deep experience coaching applicants into top MBA programs and a coaching style tailored to each individual’s strengths, Melanie will walk you through how to craft a compelling narrative, highlight leadership potential, and approach Columbia’s essays and recommendations with clarity and strategy. Whether you’re early in your MBA exploration or preparing to hit submit, this session will give you actionable insights to strengthen your CBS deferred application.