After leaving NOV 2 years ago, when the going wasn't that bad, I've been promoted for my fourth time.
Don't get me wrong I work hard day in day out, but working for a company with managers who actually know what they are doing, does help massively.
Look for anything ran by European or Asian management away from Oil and Gas, and you won't go wrong. Anything owned and ran by Yanks, will only go wrong in the long run.
Lots of jobs out there, and as the saying goes, easier to find a job, when already in a job, rather than leaving it too late.