To a certain extent, a slow economy will make people reluctant to hire. But if there's a job to be done, and no one available at a company to do it, they will start looking.
If I tell a company I'll clean the bathrooms for free just to get in the door, they'll probably just think I'm crazy.
. I'll do that though.
That's a funny statement, I suppose, but in reality, there are plenty of high school grads with cleaning experience, so those positions do tend to be snapped up fast.
I'd suggest you try some contract agencies, just try to write out your laboratory skills in a logical manner, and see what they can match you to.