FINDING SEASONAL CASH IF A TEMP JOB IN DEPARTMENT OR DISCOUNT STORE IS ON YOUR HOLIDAY LIST, IT'S TIME TO APPLY.

Byline: Candice Choi Staff Writer

If you're looking to make a quick buck working retail this holiday season, now's the time to start looking.

``Anybody who waits until Thanksgiving is going to be out of luck,'' said Ellen Tolley, spokeswoman for the National Retail Federation or NRF in Washington, D.C. ``A lot of people are interested in these jobs. We suggest people start looking sooner, rather than later.''

Temporary retail work is a godsend for those looking to make some fast cash - and it's a great way to get discounts on holiday gifts as well, Tolley said.

That's why the jobs get snatched up so fast.

Retailers across the country are expected to hire about 800,000 this holiday season, increasing their employee ranks by about 4 percent, according to the NRF. To get this army of seasonal workers trained in time for the onslaught of holiday shopping, Tolley said, most employers are taking action now.

The Circuit City in Woodland Hills started accepting online applications a few weeks ago for about 40 open spots, said manager Anwar Azfar. The J.C. Penney in Northridge is also hiring about 50 people, said a representative who declined to give her name. The holiday shopping season usually kicks into gear right after Halloween, Azfar said.

The biggest hiring boost comes from department stores, which increase their employment by about 12 percent, according to the NRF. Discount stores like Kmart and Target increase their employment by 10 percent. Retailers selling clothing, books, music and sporting goods increase their ranks by 8 percent. ``Just think about what type of gifts people buy, and that's who's going to need more help,'' Tolley said.

The extra workers will be needed to handle the strong sales being forecast. Ernst & Young predicts holiday sales will grow by 6 percent to 7 percent in November and December, compared with 5.7 percent growth over the same period last year. Luxury goods and apparel will do particularly well, according to the International Council of Shopping Centers.

Retailers love to pull temporary workers from their customer base, Tolley said. These people are already familiar with the product and are also likely to use their employee discounts to buy gifts for others and themselves.

Circuit City employees get discounts of varying degrees, depending on the product. The discounts are only for employees and members of their immediate family, Azfar said.

Temporary jobs are typically snapped up by students or retired people. Since the jobs require working many nights and weekends, Tolley said, the positions are even attractive to people who already have full-time jobs. Azfar said a handful of the same people tend to return year after year.

A few of these seasonal workers usually end up transitioning into long-term workers, Azfar said.

Once the holiday season winds down in mid-January, Tolley said, there are no illusions for most of these workers.

By mid-January, Tolley said, most holiday workers are bidding their flings farewell. ``These people are under no misconception about what these jobs entail.''

Candice Choi, [phone]

candice.choi(at)dailynews.com

CAPTION(S):

3 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color) Discount stores such as Target and Kmart increase their employment by about 10 percent for the holiday season.

Tina Burch/Staff Photographer

(2 -- 3 -- color) Computer job-application stations are already a common sight as retailers recruit their army of extra help in time to get them trained for the holiday season. Department stores such as Macy's seasonally increase employment by 12 percent, but jobs are soon filled.

Hans Gutknecht/Staff Photographer