Leland+ Content Library

10 Common Mistakes Applicants Make in Private Equity Recruiting - And How to Avoid Them

Private Equity (PE) recruiting is one of the most competitive processes in finance. Whether you're an investment banking analyst, a management consultant, or coming from corporate development, breaking into PE takes more than just technical know-how. It’s about strategy, preparation, and self-awareness.

From ROI to Fit: Making the Right MBA/Grad School Decision

MBA program and/or other Grad school on your mind? Before investing $100K+ and years of your life, make sure it’s the right move. Join us for a free 1-hour workshop where three experienced admissions + career coaches break down: - Why grad school (and why now)? - MBA vs. specialized master’s—which fits your goals (business oriented grad programs, MS in Business Analytics, MS in Finance, MS in Marketing, etc.)? - Full-time vs. part-time vs. hybrid—what’s best for your career path? - How debt, recruiting, and location factor into the decision. 35–40 minutes of actionable insights + plenty of time for your questions. Walk away with clarity and confidence about your next step. If you're wondering about IF business related grad school is right for you - and/or which program to attend, this is the session for you! Session will feature advice and experience from 3 of Leland's Top Coaches: Kira D. - https://www.joinleland.com/coach/kira-d Christine B. - https://www.joinleland.com/coach/christine-b Adam B. - https://www.joinleland.com/coach/a-b

Why Do Companies Acquire?

Explore the strategic reasons behind acquisitions—from growth to market entry—and what makes them succeed or fail.

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.

Military to MBA Panel Oct 2025

​In this panel, Alex S., Alec E., and Zack D., veterans who have successfully transitioned from military service to top MBA programs will share their experiences and advice on making the leap. You’ll hear how they translated their leadership and operational skills into compelling applications, built strong narratives, and navigated the unique challenges of the transition. ​Whether you’re just starting to explore an MBA or actively preparing your applications, this session will give you practical insights, strategies, and inspiration to help you take the next step in your career with confidence.

Becoming an AI Product Manager without a technical AI background

​Building a career as an AI Product Manager doesn’t require a formal background in AI—you just need the right mindset, strategic tools, and storytelling prowess. In this session, you’ll learn how product leaders transition into AI-focused roles by understanding what separates successful AI PMs from generalists: how to build cross-functional credibility, spot high-impact AI use cases, and weave strategy into technical conversations—even without a machine learning degree. ​Leading the session is Jiahong X., a Wharton MBA and current Meta product leader steering generative AI in advertising, with prior product roles at Google. Drawing from experience interviewing over 300 candidates and helping 50+ land roles at FAANG and beyond, Jiahong brings real-world frameworks, clarity on how to shift into AI PM roles, and actionable next steps—so you can strategically plan your path and begin making an impact in the AI space.

Mike’s Mowing Case Interview Practice

Work through the “Mike’s Mowing” consulting case—structure your analysis, estimate market size, and deliver strategic recommendations with confidence.

Best Questions to Ask in a Job Interview

A practical guide to asking smart, strategic questions that impress interviewers and showcase your fit in investment banking interviews.

Pre-MBA Resume Sample

Pre-MBA resume showcasing strategic leadership in tech and analytics, used to earn admission to both HBS and MIT Sloan in Round 1

College Workshop: Three-Month Application Plan to Land Your Early Decision School

​Are you a high school student aiming to apply Early Decision (ED) to your top-choice U.S. university? Join Kevin P. for an interactive session that lays out a focused three‑month plan—from now to the Nov 1–15 deadlines—so you can craft a standout ED application on time and with confidence.With over a decade of experience supporting students across the world, he will guide you through the essentials—from weekly milestones and essay drafting to coordinating recommendations, understanding ED’s binding and financial implications, polishing your activities list, and building a smart backup plan for EA/RD. Topics include: ​90‑day ED timeline and task checklist (mid‑Aug → Nov 1–15): essays, supplements, testing, recommenders, and school documents ​Standing out fast: personal statement and “Why Us?” strategy, activities impact, and recommendation packets ​Readiness and backup: score strategy, financial/aid planning for ED, portal tracking, and an EA/RD contingency if ED doesn’t land

AI Monthly News Update - January 2026 (Slides)

These slides are from the first of a series of monthly news updates related to advancements in AI. This update covers AI tools and LLMs, global AI and infrastructure, robotics and gadgets, and the impact of these advancements on daily life and business. Check out the event here: https://www.joinleland.com/content/item/urn:contentEntry:69839327a1f4968d5ca1feb5?fromName=all

Example Stanford GSB Essay - The Power of Personal Reflection and Entrepreneurship

This essay addresses: "Why Stanford?" Learn to clearly articulate how Stanford's unique environment aligns with your aspirations and leadership journey.

Breaking into IB in Asia: Winning Resumes and Behavioral Interview Strategies

Landing an investment banking role in Asia requires more than technical skills—it takes a sharp resume, compelling stories, and a clear understanding of what regional recruiters value most. In this session, expert coach Hanie L. will share what sets successful candidates apart in Asia’s competitive recruiting landscape. ​Whether you’re targeting Hong Kong, Singapore, or another Asian financial hub, you’ll walk away with actionable strategies to refine your application and interview prep so you can stand out and land offers.

The Smart Outreach Guide: Questions to Ask MBA Alumni and Students

Guide to help users make the most out of outreach to alumni and current students of their desired program

Using LLMs and AI to Supercharge Your Personal Brand in Networking

Leverage AI and LLMs to refine your personal brand, create compelling introductions, and stand out in professional networking opportunities.

AI in Product Interviews: What to Expect and How to Prep

Product management interviews are evolving fast, and AI-related questions are showing up in ways most candidates aren't prepared for. This session is for aspiring and practicing PMs who want to understand how to navigate product interviews at AI-first companies or answer AI-related prompts in traditional PM roles. You'll leave knowing how to frame your thinking around AI product decisions, how to approach metrics and trade-offs specific to AI features, and what strong versus weak answers actually look like in this context.

Inside the Admissions Process: Featuring Directors from Yale, NYU, and Duke

What really happens behind the scenes when you hit “submit” on your MBA application? In Part 1 of this session, admissions directors from Yale SOM, NYU Stern, and Duke Fuqua will pull back the curtain on how applications are evaluated, what committees prioritize, and the signals that separate strong applicants from the rest. Panelists include Bruce DelMonico (Assistant Dean for Admissions @ Yale), Matthew Moll (Director of MBA Admissions @ Stern), and Allison Jamison (Assistant Dean of Admissions @ Duke). ​​You’ll hear directly from decision-makers about how they assess essays, recommendations, test scores, and interviews—plus the common mistakes they see every year. Whether you’re finalizing your application or just getting started, this panel will give you rare, insider insight into the admissions process at top programs and practical strategies to improve your chances of success.

Breaking Into Equity Research: What to Expect and How to Prepare

Equity research is one of the most sought-after yet misunderstood paths in finance. In this session, you’ll gain a clear picture of what the role actually entails, from the skills analysts use day-to-day to the expectations recruiters bring into the interview process. We’ll cover everything from building models and writing reports to staying on top of market-moving news, so you know exactly what to expect. ​Leading the session is Leland coach William L., a former U.S. Equity Associate Analyst at T. Rowe Price who specialized in enterprise and cybersecurity software research. Drawing from his first-hand experience, William will share actionable strategies to prepare for interviews, showcase your passion for the markets, and set yourself apart as a candidate—so you can break into equity research and thrive once you’re there.

Breaking Into Equity Research: What to Expect and How to Prepare

Equity research is one of the most sought-after yet misunderstood paths in finance. In this session, you’ll gain a clear picture of what the role actually entails, from the skills analysts use day-to-day to the expectations recruiters bring into the interview process. We’ll cover everything from building models and writing reports to staying on top of market-moving news, so you know exactly what to expect. ​Leading the session is Leland coach William L., a former U.S. Equity Associate Analyst at T. Rowe Price who specialized in enterprise and cybersecurity software research. Drawing from his first-hand experience, William will share actionable strategies to prepare for interviews, showcase your passion for the markets, and set yourself apart as a candidate—so you can break into equity research and thrive once you’re there.