Teens need jobs for various reason. Some get a job to save for a car. Some teens get jobs so that they can save some money for college. Others get a job to pay their personal bills for car insurance or cell phones. Still others work just to make some extra cash to blow on the latest and trendiest items. If you are a teen and one of those reasons describes you, and you still need a job or are looking to see what other options are out there, then check out the following 8 popular teen jobs and where you can find them.

If you were to ask anyone what the most popular teen job is, about 8 out of 10 times they would respond "flipping burgers". The fast food industry is one of the largest employers of teens. With the great diversification that is happening right now in the fast food industry with restaurants like SaladWorks, Panera, and Quiznos the classic "burger flipping" cliche is a thing of the past. Jobs in fast food are relatively easy to get.

Fast food jobs require minimal experience and pay minimum wage, but they do offer a few perks like free food, employee contests, scholarship programs, and can prove as valuable references for future jobs. If you get started working at a fast food joint earlier on in highschool, there is also a good chance of getting promoted to an assistant managemebt position as you move into college, provided that you have worked hard and put forth good effort.

The easiest way to get a job in the fast food industry is to apply at the restaurant that you work at. Although, many restaurants will allow you to apply online as well.

Overall, fast food jobs are excellent entry level jobs, and provide many basic skills and great practical experience that can be drawn upon for jobs in the future.

Another quite popular place for teens to work is in retail stores. Retail stores include places like malls, grocery stores, clothing stores, convenience stores, Walmart, Target, and the list continues. Much like jobs in the fast food industry, retail jobs require minimal experience and training. Retail jobs usually require that you be outgoing, friendly, and willing to help customers should they need it. A positive attitude and a smile are also good things to have if you want to work retail. Retail jobs can offer some perks like employee incentives for sales, contests, and also scholarship contests for employess headed to or already in college. 

Retail jobs are also perfect for teens looking to pick up a little extra money around the holiday season. As shoppers continue to mob stores and malls over the holliday season, retail stores require more workers to keep up. If you have the time to spare, you might to well to apply and pick up a seasonal job for the holiday season. Who knows, they might even decided to keep you on if you perform well enough.   

Finding a retail job shouldn't be that difficult if you live in an area with a decent amount of stores. Most places will allow you to wak in and complete an application while others prefer that applications be submitted online. If you are unsure as to how to apply, simply call or visit the store manager to inquire.  

Babysitting jobs are more popular among teen girls than teen guys, but some guys do babysit as well.  Sometimes parents can't always be around.  They will go on dates, get home from work late, or go out of town for work and their children can not accompany them.  That leaves you able to look after their kids. 

Babysitting is a decently flexible job.  It can be a regular thing if a parent gets home late each night from work, and it can be sporadic like parents going out for the night.  A good way to find babysitting jobs is to get in contact with extended family, friends of the family, and neighbors with younger children.  It is actually possible to build a nice little business out of babysitting.  If you are good at babysitting, the parents will be sure to mention and refer you to other parents who might be looking for a babysitter. 

Be careful though.  Babysitting can be a dangerous and stressful job.  Be sure to watch the children closely so that nothing bad happens while the parents are gone.  Always have an emergency plan in case things go wrong.  It might also be beneficial to have CPR and First Aid training.  These certifications will make you more appealing to potential "employers". 

Amusement and theme park jobs make for a great way to earn some money over the summertime.  There are all kinds of jobs available at amusement parks from food service, retail, and maintanence to ride attendant, photographer, and showman.  If you want a job where you can have some fun doing what you love then theme parks are the way to go.  You can get a job at a theme park based upon your interests and skills.

There are some great bonuses to working at theme parks as well.  Usually workers can get into the park free or at a hugely discounted rate on their days off and have some fun.  In addition, there are many other great teens there to hang out with and build friendships with.  Jobs at amusement and theme parks usually require outgoing and friendly people, because employees deal with and talk to people all day long. 

There is one catch to having a theme park job though.  You have to live near one!  There aren't theme parks in every town, so not everyone can work at one.  If you live near one and you think it would be fun, visit the park's website and see what you need to do to apply. 

If you have a subject in school, or hobby that you are really good at you can use it to make a little bit of money.  If you are the best at math, and there are some kids who need help, advertise yourself and see if you can't get paid a little bit to help them.  There are two great ways you can advertise yourself.  The first is word of mouth.  Let your teachers know you are interested in tutoring other students.  Often times parents of struggling students will ask teachers for suggestions on tutors.  What could be better than having you teacher suggest you!  You can also use the internet to advertise yourself.  Let people on Myspace, FaceBook and Craigslist know that you are ready to help them learn.

Remember, its not just kids and other teens that need tutoring.  There are plenty of adults and elderly poeple out there who want to learn new skills as well.  For example, if you know a lot about computers and how to use them consider advertising yourself to older people who want to learn how to use the computer.  The options for tutoring are virutally endless, and who knows - you may end up with a friend out of the deal. 

Instead of going out to a store or restaurant to get a job, you can actually stay close to home and get one right on your block.  There are plenty of neighborhood jobs available in more suburban areas.  You can mow lawns in the summer, rake leaves in the fall, and shovel driveways in the spring. The possibilites for neighborhood jobs are virtually endless.  If you see a need in your neighborhood, and you think people would be willing to pay to have it done - don't hesitate.  Take the opportunity.

An easy way to pick up some neighborhood jobs is to go door to door and ask them if they would like your services as a lawn mower etc.  If that is not your style, then make up nice flyers and business cards and circulate them around your neighborhood.  Be sure to include a phone number or email address for people to contact you. 

Another popular job for older teens are service jobs.  Service jobs are jobs like hotel worker, hospital worker, and cruise ship attendant.  In order to do these jobs, most enployers will mandate the you be over 18 years of age.  These jobs offer very unique opportunities.  Cruise ship attendants basically get paid to travel the world, but you would have to not mind being away from home for extended periods of time.  Being a hospital worker can proved very practical and valuable experience especially if you are considering going into the medical profession.

Consider your options carefully though because service jobs are usually high stress, and require the employees to be people pleasers.  It is suggested not to apply for service jobs if you lose your cool quickly.  It takes real patience to deal with a few particular people at hotels, hospitals and on cruise ships all day long. 

One way to earn some BIG money is to get a sales job.  A popular sales job right now for older teens and college students is Cutco Knives.  There are some salespeople who have earned upwards of $3000 per week.  Granted, they were excellent salespeople.  In most sales jobs you will be paid based on the amount of goods or service you sell.  So, it is suggested that you only go this route if you are going to be good at it.  You will also have to be prepared to be rejected and shot down as many people do not take to kindly to door-to-door salespeople.  Consider you own safety as well, as this line of work will require you to go into the homes of unfamiliar people. 

Consider what you read as well.  There are some articles online that talk about how salespeople were lied to and scammed by their company.  Some of these incidents may be true, or the incidents may just be bad salespeople trying to take out their anger on the former employer.   

As you look over this list of jobs, think about where you fit in.  Which job can best utilize your talents, abilities, and personality?  Which job will best prepare you for the next step in life? Once you answer these questions and find a job, all thats left to do is work hard and make some money.  Spend it wisely!