Home Depot will hire 70,000 seasonal workers to get ready for the spring season, the busiest of the year, the home improvement retailer said Thursday. "Just as the Christmas rush and holiday hiring ends for many retailers, we begin recruiting for spring seasonal associates to help customers during our busiest selling season," said Tim Crow, executive vice president for human resources, in the announcement. "And a seasonal job . . . can often lead to a regular position if you're passionate about customer service." The company noted that half of its 2011 seasonal hires ended up staying on in permanent positions. Shares of Home Depot HD -0.55% were down fractionally at $43.26 in midday action.