As the temperature reaches record highs, there is a common myth amongst jobseekers that summer is a bad time to look for a job. The idea is that, as many people go on vacation and as many industries slow down during July and August, hiring comes to a halt. Many take the hotter months off from their search and return to it come fall, the busiest of the seasons for hiring. But dropping off your job search completely may be a big mistake; in fact, amping up your search during summer can put you ahead of your competition—especially since a large number of jobseekers have temporarily stopped looking.

Here are a number of ways to use the summer slow-down to your advantage:

• Use time off to connect with others and network at fun events. Though they may not be professional conferences or job fairs, casual affairs such as barbeques and outings can be great places to meet people and get the word out about your job search. They’re a great way to pull away from the confines of online job boards and meet people face-to-face.

• In addition, vacation time can open up temporary and contract work for fill-ins. For those not currently working, it can be helpful for future interviews to show that you’ve kept your career active  during the summer, and one of the best ways to do this is to take on temporary work. Not only will you make some extra money, you’ll make new connections and keep your skills sharp until something more permanent comes along. Ideally, you could possibly impress your manager and earn a full-time position.

• Should you prefer not to take on temporary jobs, or if none are available to you, you can still push your career—and search—further by keeping busy during the summer months. Register for webinars, attend a conference, or take a class.Work isn’t the only place where you can pick up new skills and exercise existing ones, and should you still be looking for a job, these are great ways to better qualify yourself for future positions. They also make great interview conversation and can impress the hiring manager.

• Along the way, be sure to update your resume, cover letter, and online profiles. Add your new credentials and/or work experience as you go along and use your time off to revamp your professional presence. You can update your LinkedIn profile, for example, and add new connections you made at events to your network.

• Eventually, your perseverance should earn you an interview. Be sure to schedule yours at a convenient time for both you and the hiring manager, and remember that summer schedules differ greatly from the rest of the year. For example, an interviewer may be less dedicated to your interview, or may have less time to give you, should you schedule on a Friday afternoon or a Monday morning. Many summer weekends are extended for travel and activities—and you could be forgotten in the rush if you squeeze yourself into an inconvenient time.

It could also be beneficial to draft out a few copies of your resume and cover letter geared specifically toward companies you’ll be applying to for future openings. Many companies start the hiring process for fall positions in the summer and finalize before the turn of the season, so get yourself organized and research the companies and positions you’ll be applying to. Being ahead of the game will not only save you time and stress, but will show hiring managers that you’re organized and dedicated. It will also get you an early start ahead of other jobseekers that are just starting to pick their search back up again—which, arguably, is the goal of summer job searching.