Guest Post by David M. Schwartz.  Today, we are all dealing with the financial meltdown and economic woes. Clearly, it was much more comfortable negotiating when the economy was in much better shape.  The painful truth is that when faced with adversity—such as a recession or a dip in the job market—the natural tendency is to retreat to a defensive position, rather than mount an all-out attack. Candidates should never settle for less than they are worth. If they don’t ask – they don’t get.  There are jobs and new opportunities out there for those who stay focused, keep a positive mental attitude and remain proactive. Candidates just need to learn how to “play the game”.