Brief an assistant to compare two job offers with real math

About this exercise

You have two job offers and want an AI assistant to compare them by your rule: the better offer is the one with the higher first-year value, where first-year value = base + signing bonus + target bonus - yearly commuting cost. It must show each offer's math, write "not stated" for anything missing, and never accept, decline or reply to anyone. Output exactly 4 numbered plain-text lines: a note per offer, an ASK_HUMAN line, then DONE naming the higher one.

Common mistakes when you ask AI for this

• Not showing the log format. Left alone, the AI writes a friendly report with headings instead of a checkable action log. Try: Show it literally: "Format every line like 1. ACTION: tool(args), then ASK_HUMAN: and DONE: lines. Plain text."
• Hiding the math. The AI compares base salaries and gives a gut feeling. Try: Say: "Show base + signing + bonus - commute = first-year value for each."
• Allowing guesses. The AI assumes a typical bonus for the offer that didn't mention one. Try: Add: "Write not stated for anything missing. Don't guess."
• Letting it respond. Given accept and decline actions, the AI may act on its pick. Try: Add: "Never accept, decline or email anyone. Name the higher offer in DONE."

What a strong prompt includes

• Gives the formula
• Asks for the math
• Marks unknowns
• Forbids accepting or declining
• Shows the action-log format

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