Lindsay Olson is a partner and recruiter with Paradigm Staffing (and PRNewser guest columnist). She specializes in helping companies and agencies find public relations and communications professionals throughout the United States. She has over ten years experience recruiting in the PR industry and also writes a career-related blog at LindsayOlson.com. You can find her on Twitter via @prjobs.

In her latest column, Olson advises PR pros on salary negotiations in a tough job market.

It's all over the news. If you haven't been affected yet, the chances are you know someone who has already been downsized. The bleak state of the economy means equally trying times for the college graduate entering into a PR career and the seasoned professional who hasn't to embark on a forced job search for several years, if ever in their career.

In the past few weeks, I've met with countless candidates and I keep hearing a similar comment about salary requirements: "Well in these times, I would be willing to consider much less..." The logic being something is better than nothing.

Should you lower your salary because of the weak job market? It depends on the situation. A pay cut is standard if you are making a dramatic career change in another industry and you have financially prepared for this new reality. If you are looking for another PR position, cutting too deep is not a good idea. Candidates who are willing to take steep pay cuts for the new position are likely to been evaluated with skepticism on their longevity with the company and may be passed up for a "safer" candidate. Hiring managers question the candidate's loyalty when the market recovers or as soon as a better paying job presents itself.

Be careful. Tread carefully on the topic of salary and don't be afraid to negotiate. Don't ever lead the salary discussion with your willingness to take a pay cut, even if that is the case. Being unemployed doesn't mean you don't have the power to negotiate.