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to communicate effectively with her employees. I obtained the job through my friends parents. My friend and I both began working for this woman. When this employer had an issue to discuss with me she would speak to my friends parents about it. She did not know how to approach me or speak to me effectively even though I was open to communicating with her. The lack of communication lead to my resignation. She was left with a very inadequate employee to run her store instead of me.

I eventually went on to find another job that paid better and for which I am still currently employed. At the interview for this job, I was only fifteen years old. The employer spoke throughout most of the interview but he expressed that he cared for his employees. I received the message he was sending and decoded it as a positive work environment. I gladly took the job and was not disappointed.

These were my first experiences with having an employer and trying to communicate effectively to get what I wanted out of a job. Teaching young people interpersonal communication is not a new concept. In Scotland there is a company that holds an apprentice development program and courses to teach skills necessary for employment. Some of these skills include new workers skills, assertiveness and respecting and developing others.

Non-Verbal Communication

As we begin this section of our research we will talk about communicating without words. You might find it interesting to know that much of what you say doesn't involve speaking at all. It is called body language and many gestures and facial expressions you use could indicate an emotion that you don't want to convey to your employer. According to David Straker, the main consultant for Syque a professional consulting and publishing firm, body language is categorized into thirteen different message clusters.

These clusters are as follows: aggressive, closed, bored, deceptive, defensive, emotional, evaluating, open, power, ready, relaxed, romantic, and submissive body language. Some of the clusters you should be aware of in a job interview are closed, bored, power, evaluating, and submissive.

In the closed cluster you might cross your arms or look in other directions away from whom you are listening to. When you do, it can often be interpreted as defensiveness or trying to hide your emotion. The bored cluster is easily recognizable. It involves a lot of movement. Many who appear bored will play with things around them, shake their leg rapidly or appear

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