At the conclusion of a job interview, the human resources representative asked a young engineer fresh from MIT, “And what starting salary were you looking for?” The engineer responded: “In the neighborhood of $225,000 a year, depending on the benefits package.”

The employer’s representative responded, “Well, what would you say to a package of 5-weeks vacation, 14 paid holidays, full medical and dental, company matching retirement fund to 50% of salary, and a company car leased every two years – say, a red Corvette?” The engineer sat up straight and exclaimed, “Wow!” “Are you kidding?” And the interviewer responded, “Sure, but you began it.