I like you. But I’m not sure that I can recommend you.

This, to me, is the key issue that people so enamored with networking events either ignore or don’t understand.

Don’t get me wrong. I have met many people that I like at networking events.

That is not the issue.

However, few of these likeable people have graduated in my understanding of them and of what they do to a level where I feel confident in recommending them and their service or product.

That is the issue.

Liking you depends on personality; yours and mine. Many organizations take personality into account when they recruit. Some even run personality tests. Personality does matter.

On the other hand, recommending you depends on my understanding of your level of competence and ability to make a meaningful contribution. No sane hiring manager will ignore meaningful competence in favor of simple liking.

So why should I?

Welcome to my side of the nonsense divide.