Movin' On

Bob Weinstein is a journalist who covers technology, project management, the workplace and career development.

  Career Development  

Ray Costello of Arlington Heights, Illinois, is considering relocating for CIO jobs in Phoenix and Richmond.

Costello sees relocation as a ticket to a better quality of life. He can't mention the name of either company because formal job offers have not been made. If both jobs materialize, and there is a strong possibility they will, Costello is more likely to take the job in Phoenix. A decision will be made quickly, however, because he's bolting through his severance pay from his prior job as CIO of Gingiss Formalwear in Addison, Illinois.

After plummeting into bankruptcy, most of Gingiss' assets were purchased by The May Department Stores Company in late December, 2003. Costello knew Gingiss was in financial straits when he took the CIO job more than a year ago. "After 15 months on the unemployment line, I was grateful for the opportunity," he says.

Before Gingiss, Costello was vice-president of information technology at Chicago jewelry company Donald Bruce & Company until he was laid off in March, 2002.

Each year, thousands of laid-off managers are forced to consider relocation so they can find jobs that match their experience and salary requirements. And employed CIOs and senior project managers often have to accept a relocation in order to be promoted. Refusing relocation squelches any chance of advancement. This is a …

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