Set up the tracker
Open the download in Excel, Google Sheets, or another spreadsheet. Replace the fictional example before using it. Keep one row per person so you can see the relationship without creating duplicate outreach.
The fields cover name, firm, role, connection, public profile URL, first contact, last interaction, status, next action, next action date, application URL, deadline, and notes. Record only the information needed for your workflow.
What each column is for
The template has these columns. Fill in the first six when you add someone, and the rest as the conversation moves.
| Column | What to write | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Name, firm, role | Who they are and where they sit | Analyst, M&A, a middle-market bank |
| Connection | Why they might reply | Same school, same student club |
| Profile URL | Where you found them | Their public profile |
| First contact | Date of your first email | Oct 6 |
| Last interaction | Date and what happened | Oct 14, replied with times |
| Status | Researching, Contacted, Replied, Call scheduled, Follow-up complete or Closed | Call scheduled |
| Next action and date | One concrete step and when | Send thank-you note, Oct 17 |
| Application URL and deadline | The posting and its close date, if any | Summer analyst posting, Nov 1 |
| Notes | Anything you would want before the next call | Suggested reading their group's recent deals |
Choose clear statuses and actions
Start with Researching, Contacted, Replied, Call scheduled, Follow-up complete, and Closed. Replies and interviews are different outcomes; do not collapse them into one success status.
Write actions such as “send availability,” “read suggested resource,” or “submit application.” Avoid vague entries like “network more.” If someone declines contact, mark Closed and record that you should not contact them again.
Run a weekly review
First check application deadlines and interviews. Then review promised actions and unanswered introductions. Close stale threads rather than moving every reminder forward indefinitely.
Count conversations held, actions completed, and applications submitted alongside replies. If calculating reply rate, define the time period and which messages count. Small samples and different audiences make comparisons unreliable; use the tracker to improve your process.
Frequently asked questions
What should an investment banking networking tracker include?
One row per person with name, firm, group, how you are connected, first contact date, last interaction, status, a dated next action, and any application deadline. The free template on this page has all of them.
Should I use Excel or Google Sheets?
Either works. Google Sheets is easier to open on your phone right after a call; Excel is fine if you already live in it. Pick one and update it weekly.
How often should I follow up on a networking email?
Once, about a week after the first email, in the same thread. If there is still no answer, mark the row Closed and move on rather than sending more.
Do I need a paid CRM?
No. A spreadsheet can cover your initial workflow. Consider a dedicated tool when maintaining threads, reminders, or a larger contact list becomes difficult.
Sources and editorial notes
Templates and workflow suggestions are original Paperclip examples. They do not promise replies or job offers. Employer requirements can change; check the current posting before applying.