Here's something that might be on your holiday wish list: a permanent job.

While most seasonal workers seek only extra money and perhaps an employee discount, more temp workers now hope to convert their stint into a lasting position. About 40% of temp workers at Manpower Inc., a temporary-staffing firm based in Milwaukee, end up getting a permanent position -- a growing trend in recent years.

And as the job market improves, more employers use temporary employment as a way to hold auditions for long-term positions. "We do it all the time," says Bette Kahn, spokeswoman for Chicago home-furnishings retailer Crate and Barrel. "We get some of our best help that way."

Retailers are optimistic that sales this holiday season will be higher than last year's solid numbers. But experts forecast that retailers will add around the same number of employees over the holidays as they added last year -- about 800,000. More companies might be scouring their former temp ranks for candidates for permanent jobs early next year, especially if consumer spending remains strong.

"Some employers are testing the water," says Richard Castellini, vice president of consumer marketing for online job network CareerBuilder.com. Temp employees should look at these jobs, he says, as "an extended interview."

So, how do you rise from the fray and stay on the job?

Start Looking Now.

To get a leg up, begin looking for a temp job right away. Companies often start lining up holiday temps in September or October so they can be fully trained by Thanksgiving, when holiday-shopping madness gets into full swing. Many seasonal job hunters, however, don't start shopping for jobs until November. So looking early gives you first shot at the best available jobs.

Find the Best Job for You.

Finding a holiday job that is a good fit is a key step to getting hired permanently. If you have sales experience and an outgoing attitude, for instance, you might take a job at a consumer-electronics store or a car dealership, where a gregarious personality pays off. "It's important to find a job that fits your talents," says Steve Pogorzelski, president of Monster North America, operator of job-posting site Monster.com.

To land the best jobs, you might consider applying to a temp agency that can pair your skills with job openings. Some employers clearly advertise their intent to hire holiday employees. Others don't. So having an inside track can help you find all the available jobs. You can also check out online job boards, which usually have a separate category for temp jobs.

Look beyond the obvious holiday jobs at department stores. Many other kinds of industries hire extra help this time of year. These include: security, trucking, restaurants and hospitality, car-service companies, customer service, service organizations and package delivery.

United Parcel Service, for instance, says it plans to hire around 70,000 seasonal employees, mostly package handlers, to deal with the holiday shipping rush.

Be Diligent and Dependable.

Since the holidays are a hectic time for many businesses, being a dependable and flexible employee can only boost your chances of impressing the boss. The ideal holiday employee works hard, acts and looks professional and doesn't request time off before the holidays, says Marc Karasu, vice president of marketing for Yahoo! HotJobs, an online recruiting site.

In fact, Mr. Karasu says, temp employees can score big points with the employer by agreeing to work shifts that others turn down. "If you volunteer for those hours that are a little less choice, that's going to probably work to your best interest," he says. It's important, he adds, for temporary workers who want to move up to be their "own best spokesman" and show initiative.

Holiday employees, he suggests, might set their own performance goals to give them something to work toward.

Make Your Goals Clear.

Once you prove your competency and dedication during your temp job, let your boss know you would like to be hired permanently. The employer might naturally assume you intend to leave after the holidays if you don't say otherwise.

"You don't ask, you don't get," says Ian Grundy, senior vice president of marketing and communications for Swiss staffing agency Adecco. "Make it perfectly clear this is something you want to do."

But don't wait until the last minute to make your intentions known to your employer. You want to make sure the employer has enough time before your stint ends to get approval to hire you.

If you can't get hired right away, you should try to stay in touch to take advantage of opportunities down the road. Writing your temp boss a thank-you note and checking in occasionally might pay off.

Some retailers, for instance, lay off workers in January since it's a slow shopping month. But they rehire in February, ahead of Valentine's Day.