Leland+ Content Library

How to Secure Strong Letters of Recommendation

How to give your recommenders the tools, context, and strategy they need to advocate for you effectively.

GSB & HBS Admit: Letter of Recommendation Example

See a successful letter of recommendation that helped an applicant gain admission to Stanford GSB and Harvard Business School. Learn what makes a strong MBA recommendation!

MBA Recruiting Resume Guide

This resume guide is your strategic blueprint for standing out in the highly competitive MBA admissions process. Designed with input from top business schools and recruiters, it walks you through proven formatting, language, and content strategies that highlight your leadership, impact, and potential—ensuring your resume rises to the top of the pile. Whether you're just starting or refining a final draft, this guide will help you craft a one-page resume that speaks the language of top MBA programs.

Strategies for Crushing the New HBS Essays

​The Harvard Business School essays have changed—and so has the strategy you’ll need to stand out. In this workshop, Leland coach Andy P. will walk you through proven approaches for tackling the new prompts with clarity and impact. ​You’ll learn how to identify the stories that best showcase your leadership, values, and potential, while avoiding common pitfalls that weaken otherwise strong applications. Andy will also share practical tips for structuring your essays, weaving a cohesive narrative across your application, and highlighting the qualities HBS is really looking for. Whether you’re just getting started or refining a draft, this session will equip you with actionable strategies to make your essays rise to the top.

Unlock Your MBA Application Story

Use this comprehensive MBA questionnaire to articulate your unique story, define career goals, and strengthen your application for top business schools.

Template: How to Guide your Recommenders

A comprehensive guide for recommenders to craft impactful MBA letters, focusing on key attributes and application requirements for top business schools.

Columbia MBA Essay Examples (Consultant / Corp Dev / ETA / LGBTQ)

Explore successful Columbia Business School essays that articulate career goals, demonstrate inclusive leadership, and highlight fit with the program's unique culture and NYC opportunities.

Example Resume - Current Law School Student Applying to BigLaw

See how this resume frames founding a zero-waste business, internships in energy and tech, and a legal fellow role to break into BigLaw.

What is Market Research?

Learn the fundamentals of market research, including key methods and how to use data to make smart business decisions and gain a competitive edge.

Columbia & Dartmouth Admit Example Resume: Media Corp Dev / Consulting

Review a successful MBA applicant's resume showcasing extensive experience in strategy, growth, and M&A within media and consulting firms.

From Self-Funded Searcher to Owner-Operator: The Search Fund Playbook That Actually Works

​Embarking on the search fund journey is equal parts exciting and daunting. From raising capital and sourcing deals to navigating diligence and ultimately stepping into the owner-operator seat, there are countless decisions that shape your path. ​In this session, hear directly from expert coach Jim T. who will cover what differentiates successful searches from those that stall, the frameworks that actually work in practice, and more. You’ll also get a candid look at the realities of operating a business after acquisition—the challenges, trade-offs, and rewards that don’t always make it into the playbooks. ​Whether you’re considering launching your own search, supporting one, or just curious about the model, this session will give you insider perspective and practical takeaways on what it really takes to succeed.

MBA Resume Example - Admitted Client

Admitted Client to Columbia Business School - Asian Female Retail/Social Media

Kellogg/Sloan Deferred Example Resume: Consulting, PE

Resume of a CS/Engineering Management grad with experience in strategy & private equity consulting, tech, and academic research.

Product Roadmap Prioritization: Case Interview

Master product roadmap prioritization with this case interview. Learn to make tough decisions and justify your product strategy!

A Powerful Example of a McKinsey Cover Letter

Craft a compelling cover letter for the Business Analyst position at McKinsey. Showcase your leadership and problem-solving skills to stand out and get noticed.

Overview of Top Deferred MBA Programs

Learn about the top deferred MBA programs (HBS, Stanford, Wharton & more) and how to secure your spot at a leading business school.

Marketing Resume Example – Luxury Retail, E-Commerce, and Sustainability

A high-impact resume featuring cross-functional marketing, digital strategy, and leadership experience in luxury fashion, e-commerce, and environmental advocacy.

Graduate to General Manager: 10-Year Path at European Firms in the US

Discover the hidden career accelerator that most US graduates never consider: European multinationals operating in America. The UK, Germany, and France alone - the top three countries for foreign investment in the US - operate 20,000 subsidiaries employing 3 million Americans, with foreign investment having doubled over the past decade. These companies offer a strategic path to senior leadership that bypasses the overcrowded competition at traditional US corporations. Learn from someone who lived this journey - going from engineering graduate to CEO of a French subsidiary in 14 years - and discover how proper planning and coaching can compress this timeline to just 10 years. Learning Objectives: You'll walk away with a clear understanding of why European companies prioritize developing American talent for leadership roles, the four critical success factors that distinguish high achievers, and the strategic importance of headquarters assignments in career acceleration. Whether you're a recent graduate or early-career professional, you'll leave with a concrete 10-year roadmap and the strategic framework to immediately begin positioning yourself for this accelerated leadership track.

Stanford MBA Essay - "What Matters Most to You and Why?"

Read an example essay for the Stanford Graduate School of Business focused on helping emerging markets grow.