National retailers said they got a head start on hiring workers for the holidays. The National Retail Federation, or NRF, expects at least 620,000 new seasonal jobs this year in light of struggling employment numbers, according to reports.

Retailers said they are using every avenue -- like online ads and job fairs -- to get the word out about jobs for the holidays.

"We're going to colleges in the area, and we're posting on all the application websites and Craigslist," said Shawn Core, the Sears human resources manager. "We're looking for cashiers at the warehouse … season associates in hardware, home improvement and electronics."

Core said Sears already started the interviewing process in Jefferson County. According to NRF reports, retail experts expect holiday shopping to grow.

"We want to get a jump start because, of course, November and December is peak holiday shopping times. We want to get everyone trained and ready to go, especially for Black Friday," said Core. "Generally speaking, for retail, 70 percent of your seasonal hires go on to be regular employees."

With unemployment numbers above 7 percent in Ohio and West Virginia, that leaves more than 40,000 people jobless in both states, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

"I know that it is hard for people to find jobs in this area. We've actually been in need of people. We're short-handed at the moment," said Core. "It's a great opportunity to be trained."

Sears managers said they begin hiring Oct. 15, and prospective employees can log on to www.sears.com/jobs to apply for a position.