HUM is India’s first online job platform focused on creating job opportunities for Seenagers (senior citizens).
Vipul Prakash never considered how a casual meeting with his uncle would impact him. His uncle, Ramesh Vij, was nearing retirement, which made him anxious.
Many of us have seen grumpy grandparents at home. For example, my grandfather was active and cheerful when working, but became moody and critical after retiring. Perhaps, the founders of HUM recognized the anxiety and sense of uselessness some seniors feel and wanted to address it.
Hum Communities Online Job Platform for Senior Citizens is India’s First of its Kind
HUM was founded by Vipul Prakash (angel investor), his 77-year-old uncle Ramesh Vij(founding partner), a retired technocrat, and electrical engineer Kritarth Malhotra (founding partner), and Pravesh Gupta (co-founder). Their goal was to connect senior citizens with employers looking for experienced workers.
HUM was launched in July 2017 in Delhi and has since expanded to other major Indian cities. They focused on social media and have connected with around 5,000 seniors through Facebook and WhatsApp groups.
The company’s philosophy is based on the idea that clients struggle with staffing certain roles, experience high turnover, and require extra staff during peak periods, like audit firms at year-end. He believes there’s an opportunity to develop a new category of services to address these needs. HUM conducted surveys on employer expectations and how well senior citizens meet them.
Many senior citizens over 60 who want to work are tech-savvy, which is a quality organizations value in experienced interns and employees.
Mr. Vij stated that the plan is to begin with jobs that suit individuals and then create a community around this initiative. He emphasized their belief in the significant potential of experienced workers and their enthusiasm for the possibilities ahead.
Retired seniors often experience understandable emotional shifts. While many dream of a carefree vacation, they see it as just a temporary escape. Transitioning from active, valued contributors to a monotonous routine can be difficult for them.
Post-retirement life may seem appealing at first, but after a while, many retirees miss the mental and physical activity they were used to. Transitioning from a busy schedule to the comfort of home can be challenging.
With 10 to 20 more active years ahead, it seems unwise to waste them. There are many people who after retirement never expect to work again.
They expressed uncertainty about finding a job that respected their experience and offered flexibility. However, just a week after joining the HUM community, many retirees secured their first interview for a relevant position that aligned with their skills and preferences.
HUM has received inquiries from retired seniors and children seeking job opportunities for their parents or relatives. Their goal is straightforward: to find jobs for seniors who want to work. Recognizing the valuable experience that senior citizens possess could benefit both employers and employees.
If you or your elders are looking for job opportunities, visit HUM.
