How not to handle a job offer

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I'm a grad student, and I had an assistantship for the spring semester. But this week they offered me a job actually teaching a class, instead of just assisting. It's a great opportunity (good for experience, and looks good on a resume), so of course I was going to accept. I assumed that it would pay more than just an assistantship, seeing as I would actually be teaching the course.

So I went in to talk to the secretary and tell her I was accepting the position. For the spring semester, they had had me down for a 1/4 time TA. She said, "Okay, we'll move you up to a 1/2 time TA then since you're teaching this course." Now, really, that's not bad pay (at least comparatively; in real-world terms, it's not that great). But the little censor in my brain turned off and the first thing out of my mouth was "That's all?". Ooops... I still told her I was taking it.

But then she e-mailed me and said that I seemed hesitant and that she was going to need in writing that I actually wanted to take the position.

Oh, how hard it is to just keep those little words from coming out... I plead AS!

Accepting the offer in writing makes it official. If you accept it verbally, it's easy to later deny it, claiming you never said it, or said something else. (Not that you'd do that.) But having a written offer acceptance provides an official proof in case there is any dispute.

Well congrats on the opportunity, first of all. It is a great opportunity. I do know what you mean about the social filter not being in place, I've sure been in that position! It sounds like they just want to secure things. Every position I've ever held has required paperwork. It doesn't appear that your response carried any negative impact...though I know what you must be feeling about it

Paperwork I would understand... And that could have been signed when I was there in the office. I'm pretty sure she only wanted me to reconfirm in writing because I was "acting hesitant." She told me to think about it over the weekend and get back to her. Doesn't sound like she just needed it in writing, sounds like she thinks I'm not sure.

Of course, it was a bit of a shock to find out that I'll only be getting paid what a 1/2 time TA makes, since I'll be actually teaching the class. So I'm sure I was acting hesitant. That, and my little comment... But I'm still taking it, because it'll definitely be good experience. Always good to practice that public speaking and interaction, right? Plus, I actually like teaching most of the time. I prefer smaller classes, but you take what you can get (this one's about 200).

I just had something unfortunate happen with my job search.

I had a couple offers from different companies (for internships). I made them wait about three or so weeks so I could finish up interviews and receive other offers.

Then, after I finally accepted a job from a Cambridge startup, freakin' Google emails me and wants to interview. And I had to turn them down.

I've been kicking myself since.

OK - here's a way to screw up a job offer - Aspie or not - I know nobody out there would do THIS!

So - I got fired from my great last job for a bunch of Aspie behaviors out of control - and my confidence was "in the toilet".

So after a month with my head under the quilts and wondering if I could ever really make it on a great job, I go out on an interview and it is a slam/dunk - got a job offer that day with more pay than I have ever made in my life - almost $100K.

Then after I start to fill out the required application, and I'm not organized enough to have brought my list of referrals (required for the background check), I ask to take the application paperwork home with me - with the employer's request to fax it in the next day so they can start the hiring process.

I don't have my referrals in order - old addresses and disconnected phone numbers - AND - I misplace the application paperwork!

2 weeks later I call the employer to advise them that 1. I have had to update my referral list and former managers are: a. in the hospital with a broken leg, b. cannot find former managers, on and on, - and - 2. Could the employer please send me another application - I have misplaced the file.

OK Aspies - tell me if I am working yet...