If you are lucky enough to have Summer Fridays, you may be excited to kick back and relax as you start your weekend early. While your reduced work hours mean more time for the beach and personal errands, this perk also gives you more flexibility to focus on your career.

Whether you are looking for a new job or trying to get a promotion, Summer Fridays can give you the extra time you need during the workweek to accomplish your goals. Here are four ways to navigate your new schedule and make the most out of your summer!

Start your job search

We all know that searching for a new job can feel like a full-time job. That’s why the slowdown of the summer may give you the opportunity to work on your job search. Since getting started is the hardest part, dedicate your newfound time to revamping your resume and reaching out to your network about new opportunities. If you are in the camp that thinks the summer isn’t the right time to start your job search, reconsider. With many professionals believing this myth, there’s less competition for the growing number of jobs available in the market. This means that you can take your time and be more selective when making career decisions.

Learn a new skill

If you haven’t had the chance to learn a new skill, Summer Fridays are the perfect time to start. For example, websites such as Skillshare and Udacity provide a variety of professional online classes you can take right after you wrap up your work on Fridays. By simply taking an hour-long class after your Summer Friday work hours end, you can be an expert in a new skill by Labor Day!

Work on new projects outside of your current job description

If you are like most people, you’ve had too many tasks pile up throughout the year to conquer projects outside of your normal day-to-day responsibilities. With more relaxed hours, Summer Fridays give you the perfect opportunity to revisit these lower-priority projects that you haven’t been able to cross off of your to-do list. Whether it’s a new departmental initiative, a technology upgrade, or another bigger picture project, it could help you develop new experiences and skills that can advance your career.

Catch up on the organizational tasks you’ve put on hold

You probably have a few organizational tasks that you’ve put on the backburner throughout the year. With the slowdown of the summer, now is the perfect time to catch up on these simple tasks. Whether it’s cleaning up your desk or clearing out your inbox, taking the time to get organized can have a major impact on your success at work. You’ll ensure that your projects don’t slip through the cracks come fall and boost your productivity in the process.