Jobsearch.direct.gov.uk

I applied for a job. I was informed that I needed to complete a CV. Fair enough.

This I did, despite the fact the the template supplied was not suitable for my situation. I assumed (yes, that was foolish), that the CV would be retrievable for suitable amendment before the application was actually sent, along with the opportunity to complete a section designated for 'my suitability for this position', otherwise known as a supporting letter. This is, so far as I am aware, standard procedure.

I noted that, on completion of each page of the CV, I had the opportunity to 'Save and Continue'. Very good. Then, suddenly, I get a message saying that my 'application has been sent' .

I hadn't intended to send anything at that point. I was just constructing a CV. And in any case, a CV is NOT an application. On the strength of that particular version of my CV, I doubted that I would even be considered for the job for which I was applying. Many, many thanks for that.

Here is a website that, like many, many others has been ill thought out and poorly conceived, the difference here being that potential employment is at stake. Users need to know exactly what they are doing and they need to have the opportunity to review all information and fine tune it before sending it off as well as being given the opportunity to include a statement.

Once the red mist had cleared, I attempted to contact Jobsearch Direct via the Contact page. I constructed my complaint and hit the button to send it. I noted a message which informed that my message had been sent. This message was at the top of the page. Excellent. But wait, immediately below this was another message telling me that only 1000 characters were allowed. The implication of this message being that my message had not been sent because I had exceeded the maximum number of characters although to be honest I didn't count them.

I found another page which allowed me to send 1200 characters. Or was it 1250? Both figures appeared on the page so I could not be sure how many characters I was actually allowed. Furthermore, as I typed, the Characters Remaining went UP. It's a while since I was at school but I still have a good knowledge of basic maths, so shouldn't they go DOWN as the limit is approached? Perhaps this meant something completely different, I don't know, but if so then it was not very clear.

Clarity, Concise and Logic are three words which in general do not appear to be part of the Web Designer's vocabulary. I use the word 'designers' very loosely there because in actuality it does not apply.

BEWARE, potential employees.