BTDT wrote:
It may have been a rare moment but if it happens during an interview I doubt anyone would give you a second chance.
But, the point is that social interaction skills are typically required for jobs that involve working directly with customers.
That is absolutely a good point and at the risk of derailing the thread would agree that would be the biggest difference in an interview. I once did a group interview and I was literally the one of 2 (of the 8 interviewed) to even acknowledge the receptionist past saying in a gruff voice they were here for the interview: one even stood there with his arms folded and a look of death towards everyone including the receptionist. In short it turns out the "receptionist" was one of the HR people and this was for a $85,000/yr position! As a general rule everyone being interviewed usually has similar experience and knowledge and the little things can make the difference.
To get this topic back on track, I should mention a story where a relative bought a brand new house and SUV even though they knew their temporary work term was ending and had almost no savings. They made the minimum down payment on both and because this person has zero job skills other than customer service (got incredibly lucky with the well paid work term) remains unemployed years later, only doing the occasional side gig because they refuse to apply for a job that pays less than $50,000/yr. Did I mention this person frequently travels the world and goes on cruises?
It doesn't take a genius to know they will NEVER be able to pay off the mortgage and will be in a desperate situation in the coming years. I did the calculations and the relative will owe on their mortgage until they are in their mid 80s!. Did I also mention this relative's health is failing too so even if they landed a full time job they probably wouldn't last long? OP, there is no way you are as bad as this person and they could not, in any way, be considered on the spectrum.