PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- 3 On Your Side finds the holiday shopping season can actually be good for the unemployed. It's when thousands of temporary jobs become available and it is possible to turn seasonable work into a full-time position.

"I was pretty persistent. I was confident," Charday Wimberly said. Wimberly was confident and committed but with so much competition, looking for a job became her full-time job.

Wimberly added, "It's been pretty much a struggle for three years."

The former assistant manager in retail was forced out of work when her employer went out of business. Desperate, she recently accepted an offer for a seasonal position. Last year, retailers hired about 500,000 seasonal workers.

According to a recent poll, two out of five companies say seasonal positions can become full-time positions. It's up to the employee to make that happen.

"Have high energy and have a smile and that takes you a long way," Rananna Taylor said.

Taylor would know, she's interviewed and hired for The Gap for years.

"Make sure you are the person they choose when there's more work to be had," Jennifer Azzolina added.

Azzolina is with Kelly Services, finding people work is her job and she says going from part-time to permanent is possible, but be prepared to standout.

"Number one, be good at the job you're assigned to and number two, ask for additional responsibilities or more work beyond the shift you're scheduled for," Azzolina explained.

"Put your best foot forward and again when the time comes, there's nothing wrong with asking, 'I'd like to apply for a full time job,'" Azzolina added, "The best ways an employee can go from temporary position to a full-time position is to really make themselves the candidate of choice whey they're on assignment. Be flexible, be on time, follow through with your commitment, go above and beyond when you see that your boss has a specific need. Those are the type of things that will make you stand out when they have a full-time position or need to extend the assignment that you're on during the holidays or whatever time of the year it is."

"Even if it's a week or a day or so, I'm going to give it my all," Wimberly said. She said she is up for the challenge, determined and eager to land back on her feet.

Reported By: Elizabeth Hur, CBS 3