When trying to find the correct fit for your business, there are so many options. Do you hire someone who has interned but never worked? Bachelors or Masters?

But one of the biggest decisions is whether or not to hire a graduate. Hiring a graduate might be a daunting option, but it doesn’t need to be.

Here are five reasons why you should consider hiring a graduate for your next position:

Motivated attitude

Graduates leave university, fresh faced and ready to face the world. They leave with a “go-getter” attitude and an up-to-date resume. They are ready to do absolutely anything and if you hire them, they are the kind of person that you want in your company. If you want someone who is passionate, eager and motivated, a graduate could be your best option.

A graduate’s view of the working world is not yet tainted by bad bosses and unfair working hours. Treat them right, and they will remember that and you will be rewarded. Even if they leave you behind after a year or two, they will always remember you as the boss who first gave them a chance and experience to showcase their skills.

Up to date skills

Speaking of skills…a graduate who has just left university has a plethora of skills which employees who have been in the industry for a while may lack. Graduates are taught skills to suit a twenty-first century market which will give you the cutting edge in your field.

Employees used to be like wine and cheese – the more mature they are, the better. And whilst this may still be the case for mental maturity and (sometimes) experience in the industry, sometimes a new bottle of wine will surprise you.

Graduates often complete a number of internships whilst at university and are taught skills relevant to today. Maybe your industry progressed from print to online and you need someone to step you into the twenty-first century. It might be their first job, but they’re no fool! A graduate will often know more about the methods of the twenty-first century than one of your more senior employees, so give them a chance! The fresh pool of talent will help everyone.

New ideas

A newbie in the industry will actually often help to give you an advantage. Say you’ve been stuck on a project for a while and the deadline is creeping closer. You’ve exhausted all of your ideas. A graduate might be able to shed some light or a new perspective because of their difference in life experiences.

They might have recently travelled after university which opened their mind to the world, or they might have interned for someone who does it a different way. No matter what, a fresh perspective is often just what you need to kick-start a new chapter of your business – whatever that may be.

Their references will be recent

If you hire a graduate, the chances are that their references will be recent. You’ll be able to track down the boss from their most recent internship or the manager from their most recent part time job.

You’ll know exactly what you’re getting before you get it. Of course, everything comes with experience. Internships teach a lot, but don’t be surprised if a graduate is a bit green on their first day. Everything comes with time and they’ll soon get into the swing of things, helping and growing your business and prospects.

They are the future of the industry

Think about your very first day of your first job out of university. You were probably nervous. Maybe you were wearing a new suit or dress. Everything was a bit intimidating. Now think about where you are. Ten, twenty, thirty years down the line and you are exactly where you want to be.

These graduates will one day be you. Everything that they learn will come from starting at the bottom and working for people like you. They are the future of your industry and their future starts now. Teach them the important parts – the bits you wish you had known at the beginning, what to do, what not to do – and they will be forever grateful.

Your industry will prosper from the work that you have done and the legacy that you will leave behind in the form of a graduate who was given a chance.

So next time you’re hiring, maybe don’t put “2-3 years of experience” necessary on an entry-level position and instead encourage graduate applications. You might be surprised.