6 Signs That You Need a Job:

1. Past babysitting jobs have grown up way to fast for your budget.
2. You absolutely positively know there are 369,792 of those dots on your ceiling. (In other words, you have way too much time on your hands.)
3. You're parents will explode if they hear the words "just five more dollars" ever again.
4. The very thought of never affording your own car or college tuition makes you fall in a faint.
5. You can't wait to see the look on everyone's face when you tell them you have a job- a real live job!
6. YOU NEED CASH!

Chances are, at least one of the above sounds like it was taken out of your autobiography. Who's to blame you? For tons of teens, suddenly their babysitting jobs are all grown up and yard work just doesn't cut it anymore. It's time to add a highlight to your life story: your first job!

Looking Before Leaping
Before jumping into a job without a care in the world, look before you leap! No matter what the numbers read on pay day, a job is NOT free money. Like everything else in life, a job has its own ups and downs. Know what you're getting into, and look before you leap!

The Ups!
As you get older, a girl on the go like you can always use a few extra bucks, right? Between that cute swimsuit at the mall, Friday night movies and all those totally unfair car expenses, you keep your wallet busy.

Work doesn't curse your entire day into a miserable one. On the contrary, jobs offer loads of opportunities. Plenty of teens actually look forward to working because they enjoy what they do and they find that coworkers make good friends. Also, a part time job gets you acquainted with the business world. It may even lead to a career.

A real job, unlike odd-jobs, provides a steady income. And a paycheck you can depend on is definitely way cool.

And Downs…
Unfortunately, this is the part no one likes to hear. But if you're serious about getting a job, you'll take out the ear plugs and pay attention. Holding a job basically means two simple yet very important things (hold onto your seats): COMMITMENT and RESPONSIBILITY.

Commitment is a job's hardest requirement to stand by, especially for young teens. Work is not like a salon appointment to cancel or reschedule at a whim. Your boss expects you to be there on time, every time.

Responsibility means you accept your position in the workplace and all the complications that tag along with it. This includes taking responsibility for your own actions. Responsibility stumps even the pros sometimes, but responsible workers are the kind employers look for.

And Then…
Now that the word "job" has a whole new meaning to you, explore more about the wonderful world of work. Look for other Get A Job articles at Girl Zone and check out these resources for the working teen:

http://www.snagajob.com/jobs_for_teens.asp - This site offers some job advice for teens, and has a convenient search for local job openings.

www.summerjobs.com - Find a summer staff position and enjoy some extra summer moolah!

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Cool Jobs for Teens by Susan Ireland - This book takes you through the entire process of finding a job, from discovering your dream job to maintaining it.

How to Get a Job If You're a Teenager by Cindy Pervola and Debby Hobgood - Whether you need a job or already have one, this book will give you essential tips on working.