Stores beginning to hire for holidays - DC Breaking Local News Weather Sports FOX 5 WTTG

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas in area retail stores. That's good news for those looking for seasonal work, but what can you do to make your application stand out?

According to Forbes, retailers will be adding 700,000 seasonal jobs this holiday, that's up from last year.  But if you're looking for work that's a lot competition so here's some tips to land the gig.

At the Target in Edgewood, it's the calm before the seasonal hiring storm.

 "Normally we have a lot of staffing to do throughout the year, but typically during the holidays, it's even more crazy," said Sandrea Malone of target. "We have more applications, more interviews -- things of that nature, so yes, it's typically busy."

Even in a recession and with more and more shopping done online, there are plenty of seasonal jobs still available.

"We need cashiers, sales floor, soft lines, backroom, unloading the truck, Starbucks, food avenue -- we need them all," said Malone.

Beth Herman of Temporary Agency Manpower says companies are definitely hiring. In fact, Kohls department store told FOX 5 that they expect to hire more than 52,000 people nationwide, That's up 10 percent from last year. But Herman says while the work is there, the workers may not be.

Besides Target and Kohls, other retailers hiring are Best Buy, Toys R Us, Walmart and JC Penney.        

"My biggest fear is a lot of people will look at it and say, ‘it's not worth it, it's not in my skill set, it's really not going to look good on my resume.' Quite the contrary, I would encourage anyone that's looking for work to absolutely consider this type of work. They're hiring. It puts current, real-time work on your resume. You know, all work is noble," said Herman.

She says if you're applying, do it now online.

"Many of them love when shoppers go to the kiosk right there - They want to hire their own shoppers," said Herman.

Herman said don't be discouraged if you don't hear back right away.

"There is a vetting process. It takes some time and there's going to be a lot of people applying," said Herman.

How do you make your resume stand out? Herman said to highlight previous customer service experience.

Hiring managers also say don't be fooled by the word seasonal -- it can always become permanent.

Besides Target and Kohls, other retailers hiring are Best Buy, Toys R Us, Walmart and JC Penney.

Click here for more tips on how to land a seasonal job.