Networking is one of the most important (and most dreaded) parts of investment banking recruiting. Whether you are at a non-target school trying to get your foot in the door or at a target school looking to stand out, the quality of your networking emails can make a real difference in your recruiting outcomes.
In this guide, we will share networking email templates for every stage of the IB recruiting process, from the initial cold outreach to post-interview thank-you notes. We will also break down the principles behind each template so you can adapt them to your specific situation rather than copying and pasting blindly. For a broader overview of networking strategy, check out our complete networking guide.
Principles of Effective Networking Emails
Before we get into the templates, it is important to understand the principles that make networking emails effective. These apply regardless of who you are emailing or where you are in the process:
- Be concise. Bankers are busy. Your email should take less than 30 seconds to read. If it requires scrolling, it is too long.
- Have a clear ask. Every networking email should have one specific request, usually a 15-20 minute phone call. Do not leave the reader guessing what you want.
- Show you have done your homework. Reference something specific about the person, their group, or a recent deal. This signals genuine interest and separates you from mass-email senders.
- Make it easy to say yes. Offer flexibility on timing. Do not ask for an hour-long meeting. Lower the barrier to entry.
- Be professional but not stiff. Write like a polished professional, not like a robot. Avoid overly formal language like “I would be most grateful for the opportunity to speak with you at your earliest convenience.”
Template 1: Cold Outreach to an Alumni Banker
This is the most common networking email you will send. It is typically directed at someone who went to your university and is now working in investment banking.
Subject: Fellow [University] Student, Quick Question About [Bank/Group]
Hi [First Name],
My name is [Your Name], and I am a [year] at [University] studying [major]. I came across your profile on LinkedIn and saw that you are currently in [Group] at [Bank]. I am very interested in investment banking and particularly in [something specific about their group or bank].
I would love to hear about your experience and learn more about the team. Would you have 15-20 minutes for a quick phone call in the next week or two? I am happy to work around your schedule.
Thank you for your time, and I hope to hear from you soon.
Best,
[Your Name]
Why this works: It establishes a shared connection (same school), demonstrates specific interest, makes a clear and reasonable ask, and keeps things short. The subject line is clear and leverages the alumni connection to increase open rates.
Template 2: Cold Outreach Without an Alumni Connection
If you are reaching out to someone you have no direct connection with (common for students at non-target schools) you need to find a different hook. This could be a shared interest, a deal they worked on, or something they published.
Subject: Quick Question About [Bank]’s [Group] Team
Hi [First Name],
My name is [Your Name], and I am a [year] at [University] interested in investment banking. I recently read about [Bank]’s work on [specific deal or recent transaction], and I would love to learn more about the [Group] team’s experience with those types of transactions.
Would you have 15 minutes for a brief phone call in the next couple of weeks? I know your schedule is busy, so I am happy to work around whatever works best for you.
Thank you for considering, and I appreciate your time.
Best,
[Your Name]
Why this works: Even without a shared school, referencing a specific deal or piece of work shows you have done real research. It signals that you are not mass-emailing every banker on LinkedIn.
Template 3: Follow-Up Email After No Response
Most people will not respond to your first email. This is normal: it is not personal. A polite follow-up one week later is standard practice and significantly increases your response rate.
Subject: Re: [Original Subject Line]
Hi [First Name],
I wanted to follow up on my email from last week. I know things are busy, so I completely understand if the timing does not work. If you do have 15 minutes in the coming weeks, I would really appreciate the chance to hear about your experience at [Bank].
Thank you again for your time.
Best,
[Your Name]
Key notes: Keep the follow-up even shorter than the original email. Do not re-explain who you are at length. Reply to your original email so they can see the context. One follow-up is standard; two is the maximum. After that, move on.
Template 4: Thank-You Email After a Networking Call
After every networking call or coffee chat, send a thank-you email within 24 hours. This is non-negotiable: skipping it is a missed opportunity and can come across as ungrateful.
Subject: Thank You
Hi [First Name],
Thank you so much for taking the time to speak with me today. I really enjoyed hearing about your experience in [Group] at [Bank], especially your perspective on [specific topic you discussed]. It was incredibly helpful as I think about my own recruiting process.
I really appreciate the advice, and I hope to stay in touch as things progress.
Best,
[Your Name]
For more on the mechanics of how to handle the call itself, see our guide on coffee chat tips for investment banking.
Template 5: Asking for a Referral
If a networking call goes well, you may want to ask the person to introduce you to a colleague or help you get your resume in front of the right people. This is a natural next step, but it must be handled carefully.
Subject: Quick Follow-Up
Hi [First Name],
Thank you again for the great conversation last week. As I continue to research the [Industry/Product] group, I was wondering if you might be able to connect me with anyone else on the team who might be open to a brief conversation? I would really appreciate any introductions you are comfortable making.
Of course, no pressure at all. I understand if the timing is not right. Thanks again for all your help.
Best,
[Your Name]
Why this works: It is respectful and low-pressure. You are making it easy for them to say no while still planting the seed. Most people are happy to help if you have made a good impression on the call.
Template 6: Post-Interview Thank-You Email
We cover this in more detail in our dedicated guide on how to follow up after an investment banking interview, but here is a quick template for reference:
Subject: Thank You, [Your Name]
Hi [Interviewer’s First Name],
Thank you for taking the time to interview me today. I really enjoyed learning more about the [Group] team, especially [specific topic from the interview]. Our conversation reinforced my strong interest in [Bank], and I am excited about the possibility of joining the team.
Please let me know if there is anything else I can provide. Thank you again for your time.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
Template 7: Periodic Check-In with a Networking Contact
Networking is not a one-time event. Maintaining relationships over time is how you build a genuine professional network. Every few months, or when something relevant happens, send a brief check-in.
Subject: Quick Update
Hi [First Name],
I hope you are doing well. I wanted to give you a quick update: I recently [relevant update: completed an internship, passed a relevant milestone, started a new role, etc.]. I wanted to say thanks again for the advice you shared when we spoke back in [month]: it was really helpful.
Hope things are going well with you and the [Group] team. I would love to catch up sometime if you have a few minutes.
Best,
[Your Name]
Common Mistakes in Networking Emails
Even with good templates, candidates frequently make mistakes that undermine their networking efforts:
- Writing too much. If your email is longer than 5-6 sentences, it is too long. Bankers will not read a multi-paragraph essay from a student they do not know.
- Being too vague. “I am interested in finance and would love to learn more about your career” tells the reader nothing. Be specific about what you want to discuss.
- Mass-emailing without personalization. If 10 bankers at the same firm all receive identical emails from you, word will get around. Always customize.
- Asking for too much. A 15-minute call is reasonable. Asking someone to review your resume, prep you for interviews, and introduce you to their MD in a single email is not.
- Not following up. Roughly 50% of your responses will come from follow-up emails, not the initial outreach. If you never follow up, you are leaving significant opportunities on the table.
- Poor timing. Avoid sending networking emails on Friday afternoons, weekends, or holidays. Tuesday through Thursday mornings tend to have the best response rates.
How Many People Should You Network With?
There is no magic number, but as a general guideline, aim to have networking calls with 3-5 people at each bank you are seriously targeting. This gives you enough perspectives to speak knowledgeably about the firm in interviews and increases the likelihood that at least one person will go to bat for you internally.
For more guidance on which banks to target and how to structure your approach, check out our networking guide and our free resources page.
Final Thoughts
Networking emails are not rocket science, but they do require thoughtfulness and consistency. The templates above will give you a strong starting point, but the key is to personalize every message and approach each conversation with genuine curiosity. The bankers who help you the most are the ones who feel like you actually care about their perspective, not just their ability to help you get a job.
If you are preparing for investment banking recruiting and want structured guidance on networking, technical preparation, and interview strategy, explore our free course to get started.
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If you are serious about breaking into investment banking, the best thing you can do is work with someone who has been through the recruiting process and knows exactly what top banks are looking for. At Wall Street Mastermind, we have helped over 2,500 students land offers at every bulge bracket and elite boutique bank on Wall Street. Book a free strategy call to learn how we can help you prepare for your interviews and maximize your chances of landing the offer.
Related Articles
- How to Network Into Investment Banking: Complete Guide
- Coffee Chat Tips for Investment Banking Recruiting
- How to Follow Up After an Investment Banking Interview
- Investment Banking Cover Letter Guide
- Investment Banking Resume Guide
- Breaking Into Investment Banking From a Non-Target School
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