Japanese adult film actress Sola Aoi. Photo: ChinaFotoPress

Asian internet giant Alibaba withdrew a job advertisement seeking candidates who resemble a popular Japanese porn actress to motivate computer programmers after drawing criticism.

Asia's biggest Internet company advertised on its website for applicants who know how to praise the "code monkeys," wake them up and organise morning meetings. Physical characteristics similar to adult film star Sora Aoi may help the applicant succeed, it had said.

The ad comes as the U.S. tech industry is under fire for alleged sexism and discrimination. While Alibaba has drawn praise for the number of females employed in senior roles, the advertisement is being criticised on Chinese social media for being offensive.

Asian internet giant, Alibaba group Photo: Getty Images


"It's not only an insult to women that such a job exists, it's also an insult to men, especially programmers," Li Weiyuan, a 26-year-old male and former programmer in Fujian, said by phone.

The posting was an attempt at "humorous marketing" to recruit talent, Alibaba said. While the company is still advertising for a programmer cheerleader, the reference to Sora Aoi has been removed and emphasizes that both men and women can apply.

"We apologise to anyone offended by this ad," the Hangzhou, China-based company said in an e-mail. "Alibaba is committed to providing equal opportunity and fair treatment to all employees on the basis of merit, without discrimination."

Any attempt at humor by the ad has fallen flat with people like Li, who was one among hundreds to comment on Weibo, China's Twitter-like microblog. Reactions ranged from outrage and criticism to some who laughed it off as a marketing stunt.

Screenshot for prosperity. This is inappropriate on so many levels. http://t.co/QruODf48rr pic.twitter.com/BtJf9eaAlj — Chiu-Ki Chan (@chiuki) April 30, 2015

Gender Imbalance

The Alibaba job description still alludes to the feminine features of Song Hye-kyo, a South Korean actress who has starred in television dramas and films.

The listing said the company would consider candidates who are eloquent and have traits similar to an "alien-like old man." Below that requirement was a cartoon resembling Jack Ma, the company's billionaire co-founder and chairman.

Ma touts the fact that his company has more high-level female executives than peers. The company counts nine women among the 30 partners that nominate a majority of the company's board.

At Facebook, Twitter., Google, women account for less than 30 percent of board members, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Among the largest public companies in California, women hold just 11.5 percent of board seats and highest-paid executive positions, according to a study by UC Davis Graduate School of Management.

Bloomberg

Full translation of Alibaba's job description, via Quartz:

Alibaba opening: Programmer Encouragement Specialist

You didn't read that wrong. This isn't a job for a programmer. It's for a Programmer! Encouragement! Specialist!

What the job is: Effectively encourage teams of developers, bring them closer together, inspire excellent and lasting work.

Basic requirements: Recognizably good looks. You don't seek to be a peerless talent, but strive to adequately inspire programmers.

Location: Hangzhou city, the one and only origin of Alibaba.

What we're looking for:

Your appearance is adequately stunning to programmers. Even a quick glance at you should excite and inspire them greatly. You might be an open-minded lolita like Sora Aoi, who can face the greatest of challenges. Or you're like Song Hye-kyo. From a wealthy family and with a Korean demeanor, possessing female beauty that exceeds nature itself; even without makeup countless programmers chase after you. You could also have a foreign demeanor, with bold style, a dignified way of speaking, encouraging the team the way a martial arts master does her students.

You must understand how to compliment and encourage programmers, and you can recognize the difference between praise and flattery. You can put engineers and programmers at ease, developing a spirited relationship with these co-workers and removing barriers between them. This relationship will develop like the inseparable bond of soldiers on a battlefield, together able to overcome the greatest challenges.

You must wake up programmers early for morning meetings, communicate to them their daily responsibilities, and verify and encourage completion of their duties.

You are able to identify the hidden potential in every programmer and engineer. With excellent listening and communication skills, you can turn them into soft-hearted men and women. You are warm to the complicated and difficult work they do, encouraging excellent and lasting work.

You are open to new things. You can tolerate highly garlicky and spicy foods that may contain strong flavors such as MSG and soy sauce.

You are capable of going anywhere in the world—whether to the United States, Canada, France, Japan, Hong Kong, Brazil, or the Philippines—to praise and encourage local programmers.

Finally, what is this job all about, and what's in it for you?

Nothing, not even in our imaginations, is beyond reach when it comes to our footprint in the world of global business. We are working hard to create a social network at Alibaba, to make our mark on the world of business both in China and in the world at large. We won't witness these changes, but take hold of them.

It's true that 99% of the people around us think our team is crazy, "Working on groups at Alibaba, fuck." But we'll just say that even if it's 100%, we don't care. After all, working with a creative team on an awesome product is not something everyone understands. We are the dingtalk team.

Job requirements:

Team-oriented. Do you prefer one programmer to others, causing those sidelined to feel left out? Points subtracted.

A flatterer. Do you give off negative vibes to programmers? Points subtracted.

Is your photo is too beautiful, Photoshopped to the point that programmers can't recognize you? Points subtracted.

Is your CV densely packed, with thousands of words, but none mention the feelings of programmers? Points subtracted.

You must understand technology and dingtalk, otherwise your mystification in conversation might slow the programmers down. 200 points sub-sub-subtracted and get away from our team!