Leland+ Content Library

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.

AI-based Customer Research and Insights with Synthetic Customers [7/31/2026] (Recording)

After this session, you will know how to build and run synthetic customer personas using AI tools to generate research insights without waiting on live interviews or surveys. You will walk away with a framework for designing synthetic customers that reflect real behavioral patterns, a method for stress-testing product assumptions before launch, and a clear sense of where this approach holds up versus where human validation is still required. Attending live means you can bring your actual use case, whether that is a product, a market segment, or a research question you are already working on, and hear how the coach thinks through it in real time. The coach applies AI-based research methods in active client work, and this session is a direct look at how that thinking operates in practice.

Banking to Buy-Side: IB & Venture Playbook [6/17/2026] (Recording)

Many finance professionals see investment banking as a stepping stone, but far fewer understand how to successfully make the jump to the buy side. This session is for candidates interested in venture capital, investing, and long-term finance careers who want a clearer roadmap for navigating that transition. You’ll learn how investment banking experience can be leveraged for buy-side opportunities, what firms look for in candidates making the move, and how to position yourself throughout the recruiting process. Join live to hear from two experts with extensive experience across both investment banking and venture capital and ask questions about your own career path. The speakers have firsthand experience navigating these industries and will share the patterns they see across successful transitions, common mistakes, and what differentiates candidates who break through. Expect practical insights and advice similar to what’s covered in 1:1 career coaching conversations.

Ace the Case: Case Interview 101 [6/27/2026] (Recording)

Breaking into consulting is one of the most competitive career moves you can make and the case interview is the gatekeeper! In this live session, Jonathan Diaz, a BCG alum and Tuck MBA, will walk you through everything you need to know to walk into your next case interview with confidence: from understanding the two case delivery styles used by top firms like McKinsey, BCG, and Bain, to building airtight frameworks, cracking exhibits, performing live math, and delivering a sharp, CEO-ready recommendation. Whether you've never cased before or you're looking to sharpen your edge, you'll leave this session with a clear understanding of the end-to-end case flow, proven strategies for each stage, and the mindset shifts that separate good candidates from the ones who get offers.

What Smart College Applicants Are Doing Differently This Fall [8/24/2026] (Recording)

The strongest college applicants don't just work harder. They make smarter decisions long before they submit their applications. This session is for students who want to maximize their chances of admission by understanding what's actually helping applicants stand out this fall. You'll learn the strategies top candidates are using, the common mistakes to avoid, and the practical steps you can take now to strengthen every part of your application. Join live to hear from a college admissions expert and Stanford graduate who has helped students navigate today's increasingly competitive admissions landscape. The speaker will share current admissions trends, proven application strategies, and actionable advice you can immediately apply to build a stronger, more compelling application.

The MBB Reapplication Playbook [6/24/2026] (Recording)

Getting rejected from McKinsey, Bain, or BCG is discouraging, especially when consulting is a goal you've worked hard toward. If you're considering reapplying, know that what you're feeling is completely normal, and you're far from alone in this situation. The good news is that MBB firms regularly extend offers to candidates on their second attempt. Reapplication is not just accepted; it's common, and firms genuinely want to see candidates grow and try again. Many consultants currently at MBB firms have a rejection somewhere in their story. The difference between those who succeed the second time and those who don't usually comes down to a few deliberate steps taken between applications. In this webinar, we'll break down exactly what those steps are, from strengthening your profile to refining your case prep approach, so you can put your best foot forward and turn that rejection into an offer.

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.

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

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.

The Unwritten Rules of Getting Promoted [7/20/2026] (Recording)

Ready to move up in your career and wondering how to climb the corporate ladder? Join me for an insightful session on "The Unwritten Rules of Getting Promoted." In this event, we'll explore key strategies in leadership, skill-building, and career planning to help you break through barriers and achieve your professional goals. Whether you're looking to make a move or find your next role, this session will provide you with the tools and insights needed to elevate your career. Topics: Creating Credibility Showing Up Elevating Your Role Making Sure You & Your Work are a Priority About Jeff Sigel: With over two decades of experience in marketing and business intelligence, including VP roles at Cracker Barrel and Ahold Delhaize, I've honed my skills in leadership development and career advancement.

The AI-Powered Acquisition: How to Buy a Small Business [7/29/2026] (Recording)

You don't have to start a business from zero. What if you could skip the hardest part and just buy a great, existing business instead? And what if you could use AI—like ChatGPT and other smart tools—to help you find it, run it, and grow it fast? That's exactly what we're breaking down in this free event. We'll cut through the hype and show you the real, practical steps to becoming a CEO by buying a small business.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

What Actually Kills a PhD Application (From an Ex-Adcom Perspective) [8/16/2026] (Recording)

Most PhD applicants don’t get rejected because they’re unqualified. They get rejected because their application raises quiet concerns that are never explicitly communicated. In this session, I’ll walk you through how admissions committees actually evaluate PhD candidates behind closed doors—and more importantly, what tends to kill otherwise strong applications. Drawing from my experience reviewing applications, I’ll break down the specific patterns I’ve seen across candidates who were ultimately denied, even with solid GPAs, research experience, or strong institutions. We’ll go beyond surface-level advice and focus on the real decision drivers: research fit, narrative clarity, faculty alignment, and how convincingly your trajectory makes sense for a PhD. You’ll learn how small positioning gaps can create doubt, and how those doubts translate into a rejection. This session is designed for both first-time applicants and reapplicants who want to approach the next cycle more strategically. You’ll leave with a clear understanding of where your application may be falling short and what to fix before the next round of deadlines. There will also be time for live Q&A, where you can ask questions about your own profile and get direct, candid feedback.

Finding Your MBA Story: Confused About What Makes You "Unique"? [8/4/2026] (Recording)

Most MBA essays sound exactly alike. Yours doesn't have to. If you have ever stared at a blank essay prompt and thought "I don't know what makes me different" — this session is for you. The truth is that uniqueness is almost never what you think it is. It's rarely the startup you launched or the award you won. It's usually something quieter — how you think, how you connect, how you move through the world. And it's almost always already there. We just have to find it. In this drop-in session we'll cover: Why "standard" profiles actually have more to work with than they think How to find the thread that makes your story specific, coherent, and unmistakably yours How to align your essays, recommendations, and goals around one identity What admissions committees are actually looking for — and why being "impressive" is not the same as being memorable Bring your blank page. Bring your doubts. Bring the question you're embarrassed to ask. We'll find your story together — and we'll give you real answers, not generic advice. Your story is in there. We just have to find it.

AMA - Journey from McKinsey consulting to small business ownership [7/15/2026] (Recording)

Over the past three years, I have acquired 3 businesses and looked at dozens of others while transitioning from McKinsey to small business ownership. There are thousands of ways to go about this successfully and many pitfalls you can fall into. This is an AMA designed to discuss my personal experience and those I have personally witnessed and share some of that knowledge.