Retiree Web site aims to be an instrument of change
Dot-com matches retirees, boomers with employers
BY LORI ANNE OLIWA Correspondent

Joseph Scalice and Scott Wingerter

HOLMDEL - Joseph J. Scalice is far too young to retire, but this energetic and risk-taking CEO wants to create opportunities for what he deems an often overlooked demographic.

"I want to change the perception of baby boomers and retirees. They are reliable and have a wealth of life experience, which they bring to the work environment," said Scalice, founder of www.retireeworkforce.com.

"Companies are realizing their value and are taking steps to reach them."

According to Scalice, there are far too many boomers and retirees who feel that companies do not want to hire them.

"Many retirees still feel there is a stigma and have the perception that companies will not hire them," Scalice quipped. "My Web site is going to be an instrument of change, and that will be its value."

Scalice defines a baby boomer as an individual born between 1946 and 1964, and his timing in founding retireeworkforce. com is right on. According to media reports, the first baby boomer filed for Social Security benefits on Oct. 15, 2007.

Before becoming an entrepreneur, Scalice was a financial adviser and portfolio analyst and advised people who were retiring.

"I worked with investments, funds and stocks and was very familiar with retirement planning. I left a very secure position to start the business," he said.

Scalice did extensive research before starting the Web site.

"I saw that baby boomers were retiring, and I thought there was an opportunity. After looking at many of the niche Web sites for seniors and retirees, I felt that they were just not good. So I put a prospectus together myself, obtained some funding, and launched on May 22, 2007," he said.

Scalice explained that some retirees have to continue working for financial reasons, but many actually choose to re-enter the workforce out of boredom or a desire to stay connected and involved.

Regardless of the reasons, Scalice's site will play matchmaker and connect retirees to companies that want to hire them.

"Basically, there are two entities with similar goals: the retirees who want the jobs and the companies who want to hire them. We put them together," he said.

Scalice added that the retirees are actually the "drivers" of the Web site.

"Retirees will call us to discuss their backgrounds. Armed with that information, we will reach out to companies and entities that would benefit from that experience," Scalice said.

As an example, he cited several retirees from the military with extensive experience in managing government contracts.

"We contacted companies in need of that type of experience who would benefit from having consultants with that expertise," he explained.

Indeed, Scalice said that his site's main focus is to recruit companies with age-friendly attitudes.

"Many of the companies I target are endorsed by AARP. Fortunately, we are in a good growth mode now," he said.

Scalice attributes his company's growth, in part, to labor shortages.

"Engineering, nursing, and hospitality are some of the industries which are feeling the pain now," he said, "so they are more anxious to talk to us."

Scalice said his clients come in many sizes - 50 percent are larger companies, 35 percent are medium-size businesses, and 15 percent are small businesses.

Becoming a client is very easy, according to Scalice. Retirees can register on the Web site, peruse the job listings and apply for a position by uploading and sending their résumés.

"There is no fee to the retirees," said Scalice, adding that offers of employment will come directly from the companies that advertise.

"Applicants still have to go through the specific hiring processes established by the companies," he said.

Scalice explained that the process is also easy and affordable for companies either wishing to list positions or to advertise to the retiree/boomer demographic.

"Companies can list positions and then see how many prospects viewed the listings and actually applied," he stated.

"Companies are paying for this specific demographic," he said, "and obviously it is working, because we are retaining clients."

To drive traffic to the Web site, Scalice does extensive Internet marketing, advertises in adult community newsletters and sends direct mail.

"I've even researched Internet keywords after talking to lots of retirees about their needs. What we do is very specific," he said.

Scalice makes presentations and speaks extensively to companies he is prospecting.

"Once we get in and make companies understand the value we bring, eight out of 10 sign on," Scalice said. "I educate my corporate clients based on my experiences thus far and try to advise them on which jobs to post or not to post. They have to be careful, as the majority of retirees are not looking for full-time employment."

Regarding the outlook for his business, Scalice is very optimistic.

"People are living longer, and AARP has estimated that 85 percent of baby boomers will work at some point during their retirement," he stated.

Scalice added that companies have spent a total of $6 billion on job boards in 2007, much of it from nichespecific Web sites.

"I would say that I am excited with how things are progressing," he said. "I took a chance and love what I am doing."