According to Challenger, Gray & Christmas (www.challengergray.com), a nationwide outplacement firm, some 550,000 positions are expected to be filled during November and December.

Where To Look

So, if you (or a friend) are looking for work, begin by thinking retail. Stores need extra workers to handle the boost in holiday time business and, come January, the flurry of customers taking advantage of the after-Christmas sales or returning items that didn't fit or they didn't like.

(1) Talk with friends who are already working in retail.

(2) Then check with your local stores -- independently owned ones as well as the chains and box stores. Toys R Us, for example, has announced that it is seeking 600 temporary workers. Challenger notes that Target, Wal-Mart, UPS and FedEx are also expected to do a substantial amount of hiring.

(3) Be persistent. "The point is that there is constant churn in the retail industry," explains John Challenger. "You may walk into a store one day and they are not hiring. Walk in the next day and they may have had an employee quit and they plan to replace him."

(4) You should also contact nearby museums - they always need extra people to handle gift shop and catalog sales. Those that run cafes and restaurants also require additional help.

(5) The same is true for historical societies and popular sightseeing venues.

(6) Catering firms likewise hire on a seasonal basis while liquor stores typically need people to stock the shelves, stand behind the cash register and make deliveries.  

(7) Be flexible. The very nature of temp positions is their flexibility. You may be asked to work on the store's floor, in its shipping facility, its gift wrapping section, or to do overnight stocking. Say yes. Don't fuss about time, place or the task.

(8) If you like spending time with children, keep in mind that in families where both parents work, someone is needed to keep the kids occupied during their school vacation. That means hiring a babysitter or tutor.

(9) Finally, to ace the interview, be on time, know several facts about the business, be enthusiastic and dress appropriately.

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