If you are looking for a job and have an interest or background in IT and retail, take note: the first two Microsoft stores – in Mission Viejo, CA and Scottsdale, AZ – have announced that they are now hiring. The software giant has actually been looking to fill positions for quite a while now, but it has just recently set up a website for the store openings in partnership with an outside recruiting firm.

You can find a list of the specific jobs here. It looks like each location is hiring for 8 different types of positions, ranging from Retail Assistant Store Manager to Retail Trainer. It's not yet clear what the associated salaries are for these positions or when other retail locations will start recruiting, but the company did say more news should be available soon at the Microsoft Jobs Blog.

Earlier this year, Microsoft officials said the stores would be more about building Microsoft’s consumer brand and demoing newer technologies than making them a cornerstone of its sales and distribution strategy, as with Apple. Leaked documents suggest the stores will focus on Windows 7, Xbox, Windows Media Center (Including Surface) and Windows Mobile.