Hiring Freshers is Better. Hear Me Out Why & When

Should we hire a fresher or not? That’s the question.

And to be honest, it’s quite a nerve-wracking question in 2024 when COVID has come and gone, taking away the supply of high-paying, flexible, and comfortable jobs with it. As more companies continue to announce layoffs, some openly and others talking about “AI-led cost savings,” being a fresher is not the most enviable position.

Over the years, I have hired plenty of them. Even my present team at Risely is largely made up of people who joined us as interns, got full-time offers upon graduating, and we had the opportunity to be their first-ever employers.

So, what set them apart? And why someone who has been an intern with us for six months over someone with 2–3 years of experience?

A person with 2–3 years of experience surely has some promises to make, professional experience being the biggest factor. They know how to work with an organization, ideally similar to yours, but even otherwise, they know how things get done, as opposed to the person who is unsure of how to ask for a leave.

They also have the context of the industry, a few ideas about mistakes they should avoid, and the risks that they can afford. All of this will surely help you. Let’s keep compensation out of the equation for now; I am talking about the people first.

They may not have your culture, alignment with your ideas and vision, and, most importantly, a desire to get things done in something new, which only someone new set out to prove themselves will show.

Of course, there are exceptions to both sides. But over the years, working in an area that has little history, particularly in India, has proven to be the right thing.

My context becomes quite a niche this way: start-up> SaaS Start-Up >HR-tech SaaS Start-up > HR-tech SaaS Start-up selling outside India.

That means there are not many people who have been there, but there are plenty who’d love to be there in the years to come, especially as the industry develops and finds more avenues. We are 14 years into the future since Freshworks, India’s SaaS leader, took shape, but there have only been three since it debuted at NASDAQ. There are miles to go with new, active minds willing to change what work in India looks like.

What can hiring a fresher give you today over an experienced person?

• A person who is open to understanding and contributing to a new work culture away from conventional notions.
• A team member who you can train in your industry’s unique concept, which may not exist in abundance currently.
• Independence from preconceived notions of the ideal way of working but openness to experimenting and figuring things out as you go.
• An easy time navigating new ideas and tech, which can be very, very handy in some industries.
• Most importantly, long-term potential to grow with your organization and impact it in key areas over time.

What’s your thought?