If you're looking to earn some extra holiday dollars this year, you're not alone. With unemployment rates rising and the economy in a seemingly endless decline, a retail or temporary position during the holidays may be just the thing to put some extra cash in your account.

Extra cash and the fact that many stores offer employees a special discount on merchandise are two compelling incentives to work where you shop this holiday season. Although recent surveys and news warn that holiday retail positions are going to be scaled back this year, here are some tips to keep you ahead of the competition so you can snag a great discount and score some extra bucks.

Start looking early (now).
Holiday jobs and hiring can begin any time in October, November, or December. The sooner you start looking, the better chance you have of being hired or being on your future boss' mind when decisions are made. If your chosen workplace isn't hiring yet, keep checking in every so often so you're always at the top of their holiday list.

Think about applying where you often shop.
You will be a more attractive candidate to an employer if you already know and love their products. If you are more familiar with a certain store or product, the employer won't have to spend as much time and money training you.

Think broadly before you decide where to apply.
Retail isn't the only industry that hires extra help during the holidays. Restaurants ranging from fast food to fine dining also tend to see spikes in holiday traffic and often look for extra staff. Hotels, ice skating rinks and places such as ski resorts also need more help. Shipping giants such as UPS and FedEx also have extra work around the holidays.

Be flexible.
Many holiday hours are often extended, so it's important to remember to be flexible when making yourself available for work. Don't think about what you might be missing by working later nights or earlier mornings-think about how great it will be to have extra money for gifts or to supplement your income.

Attitude is key.
Especially in an economy where not as many companies are hiring seasonal employees, a great attitude will help you stand out from other applicants. Make it clear that you want a position and that you'll work hard and be enthusiastic. A sincere smile and good attitude will beat a frown and bad attitude any time. It's also important to display patience since that's an important quality when holidays get hectic.

Think of it as a test drive.
If you're interested in retail or shipping, landing a seasonal position could be a great way to see if a job works for you. If it doesn't work out, you haven't lost much time and can move on; if you do a good job, you'll probably be able to get a great reference. If you end up loving it, a seasonal job is a wonderful opportunity to get your foot in the door and impress the people who make the hiring decisions later for the spring, summer, or permanently.

Get an extra dose of holiday spirit and hit the job hunt now. You'll be on your way to landing a great holiday position in no time.