Applying for jobs is a hell designed specifically to torment autistic people. Here is a well-paying task which you know in your heart and soul if they just gave you a desk and left you alone and allowed you to do it you would sit there and be more focused and enthusiastic and excellent at it than anyone else in the building. However, before they allow you to perform the task, you must pass through 3-4 opaque social crucibles where you must wear uncomfortable clothes and make eye contact while everyone expects you to lie, but not too much (no one is ever clear exactly how much lying is expected, βoverβ honesty is however penalized). You are being judged almost entirely on how well you understand these very specific and unclear rules that no one has explained. None of this has anything to do with your ability to perform the desired task.
It is hell! I want to acknowledge that the original point of the post is NOT fixed by my providing solutions (the way jobs are filled makes no sense), but also I want to leave some notes for folks struggling with these unspoken rules.Β
Some brief notes on the correct kinds of βLYINGβ:
Always useΒ βIβ expressions, instead ofΒ βweβ:
eg βI created a solution to a recurring problem by doing [x].β, even if it was really you and two others in a group
If you LED the group (or did project-management), you can say,Β βI led a team to create a solution to a recurring problem by doing [x].β
This is because employers like to know that YOU can do, and they also value team-leadership. If you sayΒ βweβ, they may stop you and ask what You did specifically. You can avoid this by just sayingΒ βIβ.
Someone asks if you have experience in a program (like excel):
If you feel confident using it:Β Β βYes, I am very proficient.β
If you have used it a few times, and could at least google what to do next:Β βYes, I have good experience.β
If you donβt have any experience:Β βI have used it before. I generally pick up programs very fast, and Iβm a quick learner.β
Mistakes (some interviewers may ask about a time you made a mistake, or a weakness of yours):
Good answers are those with solutions.
Bad answer examples:Β Β βSometimes I donβt catch mistakes before sending things.βΒ ORΒ Β βI donβt like working with other peopleβ
Good answer examples:Β Β βI had a problem catching typos, so I implemented steps that force me to check my work.βΒ ORΒ Β βI prefer to do things on my own so I know itβs done right, but Iβm working on trusting my teammates to take on pieces as well.β
Someone asks if youβve ever led a team / managed a project:
Try to say YES to this question (even if it is a lie)
If you have, say yes, and say how many people were on the team.Β
If you havenβt, but you played a large role in a group of people, say yes, and talk about your primary role on the team.Β
If you havenβt, but you worked solo on something that needed input from other people, say yes, and say what the project was about.Β
Additional:
Misc Rules
You can ask people to repeat interview questions
You can write down interview questions while theyβre asking (write the basics of the question down for yourself, like the top things you have to answer). People will wait for you to finish writing, you donβt have to answer Immediately.
Try to keep your answer to questions somewhere between 30 seconds to 1 minute and 30 seconds. You donβt have to time it, but if you find that your answers are taking 3 minutes, you might lose interest.
Have a list of projects / bragging points to talk about in advance
Try to make sure they at least answer the core question asked, donβt just bring up a completely unrelated topic
Example: if you are really excited to talk about a program you wrote, and someone asks about balancing projects, you can say you are good at AUTOMATION, and an example is this program you wrote
βDo you have any questions for us?β (A question asked at the end of most interviews.)
βWhat has been your favorite part of working at [company]?β
βWhatβs been your favorite project to work on?β
People like talking about themselves
Thank you emails
Some employers care if you send them a thank you βletterβ (email). Sometime by the end of the day (you can do it right after the interview if you think youβll forget), send a thank you email like this (you can look up other templates, or ask a friend for help):
Subject Line:Β Thank You
βHi [interviewer name], It was great speaking with you. Hearing more about the role, as well as what you said about [their answer to a question you asked them] has made me even more excited for this opportunity. Thank you for your time today, [Your Name]
Good luck!!



















