Alibaba’s product testing job attracts elderly applicants

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If you're over 60 years old, have friends of similar age, and possess leadership skills, then China's tech giant Alibaba is looking for you to fill a position that would land you 400,000 yuan (62,000 US dollars) a year.

Alibaba Group posted on Tuesday a recruitment ad for its online shopping website Taobao, announcing that they are hiring people over 60 of age with a social network of elderly people to test their new products. The notice said the company prefers people who are leaders in their square dancing groups or are members of community organizations.

Screenshot of the recruitment notice posted on Taobao's Weibo account.

Alibaba also said the prospective employees should have at least one year of online shopping experience. Candidates with three years under their belt are preferred.

The company said it is looking for bookworms with interest in psychology and sociology.

Over 400 applications were submitted in just half a day, but one Alibaba Group employee told Shanghai-based news portal thepaper.cn they only have two vacancies.

The officer said Alibaba is trying to explore the online shopping market for the older generation and increase interaction between the elderly and young people through new products on Taobao.

By Wednesday, Taobao had received over 1,200 applications, with the oldest applicant being 83 years old.

"[I] Went through nearly 1,000 applications today with my colleagues, my eyes are hurting," an obviously exhausted employee posted on Taobao's official Weibo account on Wednesday.

Screenshot of Taobao's Weibo post by an employee claiming to have tired eyes after reviewing 1,000 applications.

Chinese netizens were thrilled with the job opening and the attractive salary, with some even applying on behalf of their parents.

"This position is designed for my dad! He is an experienced Internet user and shops online every day," said a Weibo user who goes by the name Leizhenzhu.

Others petitioned Alibaba to lower the age limit.

Weibo user Xiaozhanwoshishupiana commented, "I learnt square dancing as a freshman. But I am too young now. What can I do?”

Taobao’s Weibo account humorously replied, “Well, your square dancing teacher might have a chance for the job.”