Upcoming Holidays To Bring In Seasonal Jobs In Md.

BALTIMORE (WJZ) ―If a job is on your Christmas list, you are in luck. Unemployment spiked to levels not seen in decades in Maryland.

But Kai Jackson reports that this holiday season, more companies are hiring.

The mad dash of holiday shopping is right around the corner. But consumers can't purchase merchandise if there's no one to sell it to them.

"Retailers expect sales to increase," said Pat Donoho, Maryland Retailers Association. "They have to [hire] additional employees to service those customers that come into the store."

Retailers like Sears, UPS, Best Buy and Macy's all are advertising seasonal jobs –from warehouses workers to cashiers and customer service.

Since August, Best Buy in Whitemarsh has hired about 30 employees for the holidays.

"We hire a lot of seasonal employees to be sure we have enough to handle the influx of customers during the holiday season," said Charles Ostrander, Best Buy employee.

At Best Buy, pallets of merchandise sit ready in anticipation of holiday shopping. And employees will unwrap it and stock the shelves.

Historically, Maryland's unemployment rate trends lower than the national average.  Right now Maryland's unemployment rate is 7.3 percent.

Employers say the person who's done their research and is prepared will make a good employee.

"Well, the important thing is be honest," said Ostrander. "Make sure you have a good solid resume and just be professional."

Companies across the country are advertising seasonal jobs are available. It doesn't necessarily signal an end to America's economic problems. But in Maryland, it is welcome news for the unemployed.