Also read: job hunting, career advice, DiversityInc.com Career Center, government jobs, INROADS

What's the best source for finding a job? That is the big question as unemployment continues to hover above 9 percent with no prospect of falling. But don't fret. DiversityInc has compiled a short list that will aid your job hunt during this historic economic downturn.

No. 1 Source: Targeted Job Boards

It's undeniable that the Internet is the place to go for the latest information on available jobs; however, checking general job boards may not be productive. Be sure to devote time to specialized job boards that match your field or that target traditionally underrepresented groups because companies posting jobs on these boards are more likely to be looking for people like you.

"Corporations post jobs in targeted places to reach a specific audience. This can be helpful to the job seekers from traditionally underrepresented groups because it makes jobs more accessible," says Carolynn Johnson, vice president of business development for DiversityInc. Johnson manages the DiversityInc Career Center.

Johnson also advises creating a job profile on specialized job boards because it "allows you to make technology look for jobs for you when you aren't physically able to." If you do create a profile, be sure to update it regularly with the latest information about yourself.

Source No. 2: Personal and Professional Networks

By now we all know about the popularity of social networks, but what's less understood is the way social networks can help your job hunt.

"[Social networks] play a greater role as far as being able to make contacts with people who either have exposure or experience or play a role within the organization, and they give [the job seeker] that additional venue to network," says Daniel Guerrero, a former client manager of the South Central Region at INROADS, an organization dedicated to developing and placing Black, Latino, Asian and other traditionally underrepresented people in corporate and community leadership roles.

Despite your age or technical prowess, now is the time to sharpen your skills and promote your acumen. But before you start tweeting future employers, make sure you understand the do's and don'ts of social networking to land a job.

Your alma mater can also be an excellent back-pocket resource that can help you tweak your résumé and cover letter as well as link you to national organizations and future employers.

"A number of alumni are 'remembering' their alma mater's career center," says Dr. Jennifer Jones, director of academic career planning and placement at New Jersey City University (NJCU).

"We still are in the business of providing career assessment and career fairs, but we are looking for different ways to leverage social networking to better serve our alumni," says Jones, who says she has witnessed a significant uptick in NJCU alums coming back for career advice.

Becoming a member of professional organizations, such as ASCENT, National Society of Hispanic MBAs (NSHMBA), PRIMER, National Organization on Disability (NOD) or USBLN, is a great way to network face-to-face with individuals in the absence of a corporate employee-resource group. They can also be extremely helpful when trying to explore new careers. If you're thinking about linking up with some organizations, it's important to make sure the group has a mission that aligns with your career goals.

It's also a good idea to join one in which members are of a different race, sexual orientation or gender than you. Why? It will both broaden your professional network and provide valuable insight for working with a diverse team when you do land that new job.

Source No. 3: Government Agencies

With people from traditionally underrepresented groups feeling the impact of both the poor job and housing markets, President Obama and his administration are publicizing jobs for everyone. The best sites to find government jobs are the DiversityInc.com Career Center, USAJOBS.gov, GovernmentJobs.gov and VetJobs.com.

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