Remember that old phrase, “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know”?

Well, in today’s job market, it’s more important than ever. Networking, and hanging out with well-connected people is one of the most powerful strategies you can use to advance your professional career prospects with both your current or desired company.

Meeting the right people has the potential to get you interviews and job opportunities that would otherwise be off limits to you as some positions are never advertised. There’s no better time than the summer.

Take advantage of the casual vibe and the lightened work load offered during the warm months. Get out and about and meet new people – it can make a huge difference in the path your career will take. Here are 5 clever ways to network like a pro this summer:

1. Meet and impress higher-ups at the summer office party

Summer is the perfect time to make new connections. Summer office parties usually have a relaxed vibe and will allow you the opportunity to converse with people in your current company that you wouldn’t normally interact with on a daily basis.

Use this time to your advantage and to connect with people in your company who are willing to offer suggestions and make introductions.

2. Find the watering hole

Many companies host after-work happy hours during the summer. Find out where the companies you would like to work for hang out after work and go introduce yourself! The bar is a social place and you will find most people in that atmosphere are willing to share contact information and make other helpful introductions.  Remember to keep it professional and don’t just interrogate people for contacts and phone numbers.

If the bar scene isn’t for you, you could always try…

3. Break a Sweat

A lot of companies devote time during the summer months, to support local charities through runs, bike races, golf tournaments or other active fundraisers. Companies will usually post on their website or social media pages about upcoming events they will be participating in so look them up, lace up and head out!

This is a great way to meet like-minded athletes at companies you’d like to work for or bond with like-minder higher-ups from your current company all while supporting a good cause.  Stay fit and advance your career at the same time.

4. Volunteer

Volunteering is a great way to give back to your community, meet new people and add experiences to your resume for talking points during an interview.

In general, business slows down over the summer months, with many companies offering Summer Hours. Use this valuable free time to volunteer in a sector you’re interested in. You never know who you’ll meet.

If you have a specific charity in mind check out the charities’ website, and look for high profile personalities (or people in your line of work) that support the charity. This will give you the best chance of meeting people who can help you.

5. Try Meetup.com

Meetup.com is a website that can really help you when trying to network and improve your career prospects. Professionals from all walks of life use this site to organize informal gatherings ranging from mountain biking, to pub crawls, to hackathons. You can potentially meet with managers and employers who make the hiring decisions if you attend their events which are posted on the website. To find an event near you, visit meetup.com.

To sum it all up, job hunting is more than just sending out endless applications. Start building your networking skills now, as it will always be a valuable skill to possess and can make a huge difference in the path your career will take.