What exactly is a dole bludger?

[The Prototype]

I keep asking myself this every time someone takes a shot at me when I tell them I am not working, but I am a student. Ever since I finished up studying at College in 2005 I have been looking for work, unsuccessfully in July 2005 I partook in Volunteer work with the Greek Welfare Centre, I thought this would be a good chance to learn some new skills.

It lasted 2 days, the person running it went to Darwin, and when she came back she was never at the office, so I decided to tell them to call me when they needed me because I didn't want to sit around there doing nothing. Come October I took a new position at the Adult Migrant English Service. This time instead of working in an office I was working as a library assistant.

I found this one rewarding as I was also helping non-English speaking migrants as well as gaining a lot of skills, in February that year I broke my foot and was unable to continue on so I had to sit at home and wait for that to heal in July I got my first paid job as a Call Centre Manager.

I didn't want to be a Call Centre worker, but hey it was a job and it had money being paid so who was I to argue? late August I was told there was no more work for me as they had had trouble getting surveys done and they'd call me in 2 weeks....2 weeks comes and still nothing so I decide I want to be a door knocker.

Same pay, a lot of leg work, so much in fact that I was walking around the hills of Claremont, and to make things worse I had to work on Premier League Grand Final day (my team lost...) and then AFL Grand Final Day...no matter the parents said the money...October 6th I was meant to goto Margate and Kingston and I was being dropped off there...I went to the place I was meant to meet the guy that was driving he no showed...and I just felt I had enough of being screwed around so I left it for them to call me for more work...

Nothing since then.

Earlier this year I was diagnosed with diabetes, a month later I was at TAFE studying to gain a Cert. III in Customer Contact/Telecommunications it started the Monday before Anzac Day and I got the day off Wednesday and really enjoyed going back to TAFE on Thursday being there was an Essendon supporter in the class...I didn't mock her though!

5 weeks later I passed the course, and that same week I had a Job interview I got a suit, was cleanly shaved and ready I was even confident something I hadn't been at any interviews before this one.

I felt good after thinking I may have a chance of becoming a trainee there...I was rejected told to get more experience and then try again...and I was told they rarely ask people to try again.

So I decided another TAFE course and volunteer work, so I went to St. Vincent de Paul and started work as a store person, and then started TAFE in Retail Operations Cert 2. I didn't do so well with the tests and the work and it ends this month...

I went to Melbourne and 2nd day there I had gotten 2 Job interviews, the person I was staying with commented that she was surprised I managed it since the person that lives with her had a job when she moved in lost it and has had no interviews since.

But I got neither came home, and this is where I am at now, through all of that I still get called a dole bludger...so what is a dole bludger? I see people my age around Warrane, drinking smoking and carrying on, no work for them....I look at people my age hanging around the shops not working.

A lot of people down Rokeby are my age or around my age they aren't working either, hell my best mate he drinks a lot and smokes a lot, not working....from the age of six I've had only 2 years out of school one was when I had work...one when I was looking for work....

Am I a dole bludger? I don't think I am....but I am not whinging or anything I just wanted to know if I am in fact one? 'Cause I never thought of myself as one even though I cannot seem to get hired after dozens of rejection letters.

Some even in duplicate! ...but seriously I would rather work, I hate not working when I did work, I took on characteristics my dad has and that was "over working" though at out all the volunteer work I have a reference for life because I worked so hard at putting through books onto the computer systems.

..and I helped a guy with his homework and helped him understand his TAFE course...and me and my dad got thanked for all our work at the library. Also made a mate with a guy who is the same age as my dad who supports North Hobart, but he's a good bloke.

[pica]

The short answer is...NO, you're not a dole bludger. Regretably, many unemployed people get labeled this way unfairly. Please stay positive.

Some years ago, I was unemployed (and actively seeking employment, althouth I admit very selectively) for a year and a half. I was called all sorts of things. Your self esteem cops a flogging.

Sorry, mate, but as I'm not a professional I can\t offer you expert advice but having seen some other posts from you recently, I suspect this one is a cry for assistance. Please seek it .

If by chance you need a sounding board, feel free to contact me.

Dont give up.

[The Prototype]

Thanks mate, I will keep that in mind.

Reason I posed this is that I have someone that has been stalking me on message boards, labelling me a dole bludger because I cannot gain work. I've told him if he was so concerned to get me one anywhere and I'd do it.

I have been thinking maybe more courses, I want to be a writer, it's the one thing I really love to do. I also considered working in a library, which could be odd for a 23 year old male wanting to work where there are generally ladies working but I enjoyed working in a library, what can I say? I love books, and love to read.

Lately a lot of time has been spent with a doctor though I missed a week when I went to Melbourne, it's helping me find the right path even if it's only to help me figure out my mind.

Though I think I've been doing well, I've walked into job interviews with my head held high and confident and not scared to actually put forth ideas. I just need experience some places won't give

[pica]

Sounds like you're on the right track.
Have you approached the major retail book chains like Angus and Robertson and Collins? Perhaps they may have employment opportunities for you.
Get rid of the negative thoughts like those you have regarding libraries being female dominated. If you want to do it, you can. (unless it's illegal!)
Another option may be cadet journalism.

Just thinking aloud now; tell me to shut up as soon as you like.

Above all....stay positive.

[The Prototype]

I am going to be meeting with my Job Network Member on Monday and propose some ideas on what to do. Retail might be a stretch as there are a few from Myer looking for some work.

BUT I am not going to give in, I am looking into all avenues and I am going to take my stuff from sites I have done some writing for and hope I can get a traineeship or something.

I really don't feel like giving up, and if I work hard enough I know I am going to get something. I had thought of helping my mum out if she gets this job she is looking at, she's looking at becoming a taxi driver for the handicapped and I thought that maybe she'd need someone to help with the wheelchairs and such.

So I thought if I asked the place that is hiring I could be an assistant there, since I was cleared by the Education Department with a police check I could seek work in a school library.

[skaman]

You dont sound like the kind of guy that would just give up. Always stay positive Dave, you'll get there! Good luck mate.

[bwphantom]

The new policies instituted by the liberal Party did eliminate in some ways the 'Dole Bludger' tag due to volunteer or study. Now I am not saying that the current system is perfect, but it is a hell of a lot better than what the Labor Party ever did to get Aussies off there arses.

With the return of labor may see the return of the Dole Bludger...???

[skaman]

I dunno everytime I watch Eastenders, I always see Ben Mitchell as a junior Kevin Rudd. Scarey, probably same mentality though. Both weasels.

[sherrife]

Hey mate, sorry to hear about your struggles to find work. There is no way you're a 'bludger' at all.

Not sure what I can do to help, except that my friend works at an employment agency and has fixed up my resume in the past...I've never really been turned down and I think perhaps that has something to do with it.

Do you wanna chuck me yours and I'll pass it on to her?

That might be a decent start... That's all I can think of to be honest, let me repeat pica's offer for a chat if you need anything.

[The Prototype]

I can attach it to a pm if that's easier? or if you pm me your email I can attach it there and send it off.

[Johnson#26]

Sounds hardly like a dole bludger to me. @ least you're having a crack, can't ask 'ny more than that.

[stui magpie]

With the "work for the dole" scenario, the old fashioned "dole bludger" is nowhere near as common.
The archetypal dole bludger had no interest in gaining employment, just kicking back and enjoying early retirement on the dole and maybe doing a couple fo cash jobs here and there to supplement beer money.

You're actively looking, therefore you're not a dole bludger. QED.

[The Prototype]

I haven't exactly enjoyed the work for the dole programs I would saddled with, I thought one which was Web design was going to be a bit better then it was...all that went on was 20 people sitting around using computer, my chase manger wasn't happy when I said I could have sat at home and done the same thing.

I wanted to transfer out and do something else, they told me once I started I couldn't, but she said if I decided not to join I could have, which is not what she said at the start she told me that I had to sign up there but a month later she said I had the chance to not sign up there? :rolleyes:

Don't get me wrong, they may do some good work with some, but for me I didn't want to sit on my ass and do Internet stuff I was doing at home. I had approached Salvos, and Vinnies, Vinnies being the only one that wanted to take me on.

Though I had to decline it because of the work for the dole program I'm going to see if they will allow me to re-join it, now my course is done.