Recruiting guide

Investment banking cold email templates

Templates are a starting structure, not a script — the parts in brackets are the parts that actually matter. Swap a template in unedited and it reads like one.

Every template below follows the same shape: a specific opening line (never "I hope this email finds you well"), one sentence on why you're reaching out to this person specifically, a narrow ask, and a closing that makes it easy to say yes. Keep the whole email under 120 words — bankers skim on their phones between meetings. If you'd rather have ChatGPT draft a first pass from these structures, see the outreach-drafting prompts in the ChatGPT workflow guide.

What to actually say

Every effective investment banking networking email has the same four parts, in this order: a specific opening line tied to something real about the person, one sentence on why you're reaching out to them specifically (not banking in general), a narrow and low-pressure ask, and a closing that makes it easy to say yes. What changes between templates is the specific detail in that opening line — everything else stays the same shape.

  • Opening line: reference something true and specific — shared school, a group they work in, a deal, a recent post. Never a generic compliment.
  • Why them: one sentence connecting your interest to their actual background or group, not "I'm interested in investment banking" in general.
  • The ask: 15 minutes, phrased as a request, not a demand — "if you have 15 minutes" rather than "let's schedule a call."
  • The close: make it easy to say yes — offer flexibility on timing, and don't attach anything (like a resume) that turns a conversation request into an ask for a referral.

1. Alumni outreach

Subject: [Your School] — quick question about [Group] at [Bank]

Hi [Name],

I'm a [year] at [Your School] studying [major], and I saw you're
[specific detail — e.g. "covering TMT at Goldman" or "made the jump
from [Prior Firm] last year"]. I'm exploring investment banking
recruiting and would love to hear about your path into [Group/Bank]
if you have 15 minutes in the next couple weeks.

Happy to work around your schedule — even a quick call works.

Best,
[Your Name]

2. Non-alumni outreach

Subject: Question about [Group] at [Bank]

Hi [Name],

I came across your profile while researching [Group] at [Bank] —
[specific detail, e.g. a deal, a LinkedIn post, a shared interest].
I'm a [year] at [Your School] interested in [Group/Industry] and
would really value 15 minutes to hear how you got into the group
and what the work is actually like.

I know your time is limited, so I'm happy to work around whatever's
easiest for you.

Best,
[Your Name]

3. Follow-up (no response, 7 days later)

Subject: Re: [Original subject]

Hi [Name],

Following up in case my last note got buried — I completely
understand if you're slammed. Still hoping to grab 15 minutes to
hear about your experience in [Group] if the timing ever works.

No worries either way, and thanks for considering it.

Best,
[Your Name]

4. Post-coffee-chat thank you (within 24 hours)

Subject: Thank you — [Topic you discussed]

Hi [Name],

Thanks again for the time today — I really appreciated hearing about
[specific thing they said, e.g. "how you decided between M&A and
industry coverage" or "your advice on networking with second-years"].
It gave me a much clearer picture of what to focus on.

I'll [specific next step, if any — e.g. "follow up on the deal you
mentioned" or "keep you posted on how recruiting goes"]. Thanks again
for making time.

Best,
[Your Name]

5. Value-add follow-up (7-14 days after a coffee chat)

Subject: Quick update — [Topic]

Hi [Name],

Wanted to follow up on our conversation about [topic] —
[specific update: an article you read, progress on advice they gave
you, or a relevant development]. Thought you might find it
interesting given what you mentioned.

Hope things are going well on your end — happy to catch up again if
useful.

Best,
[Your Name]

What to customize every time

  • The specific detail in the opening — never send the same generic line to two different people.
  • The ask — 15 minutes is standard; adjust only if you already know their schedule preference.
  • The sign-off — match their tone. Some bankers respond well to brief and direct; others prefer a touch more warmth.

ChatGPT wrote the email.

Log the outreach in MarketIQ so you know exactly who you've contacted, when, and what you said — before it gets lost in twelve open drafts.

Start your outreach pipeline

Frequently asked questions

How long should a cold email actually be?

Under 120 words. Bankers are reading on a phone between meetings — anything longer gets skimmed or skipped entirely.

Should I attach my resume to a first cold email?

No. A first outreach email is asking for 15 minutes of someone's time, not a job. Attaching a resume unprompted signals you're after a referral, not a conversation, and can make people less likely to respond.

What if I don't hear back after a follow-up?

One follow-up 7 days after the original email is standard. If there's still no response after that, it's reasonable to move on — a third unsolicited email tends to do more harm than good.

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