Advice & Resources, Finance, Risk
By Zoe Sheen, Senior Recruiter
– Last Updated: July 2026
A “unicorn candidate” is someone who ticks every box on the brief: fully qualified, industry experienced, immediately available, locally based, a perfect cultural fit and within budget. Most of the time that person doesn’t exist – and holding out for them costs you the strong candidates who do. The best hires usually come from separating what’s genuinely essential from what’s simply desirable, then staying open on the rest.
Every recruiter knows the brief. We’re looking for someone who is:
Simple, right?
The truth is that hiring often involves priorities and trade-offs – what you need v what you want.
That’s not to say high-calibre candidates aren’t out there. They absolutely are. But the strongest hiring processes start with understanding what’s genuinely essential versus what’s simply desirable.
Would you prefer someone with every technical box ticked but limited leadership experience?
Or someone with fantastic leadership capability who can quickly learn part of the technical side?
The clients who hire best are often those who remain open-minded and consider both.
Sometimes the perfect candidate isn’t the person who matches 100% of the job description.
Sometimes they’re the person who can take the role further than the original brief ever imagined.
You might get lucky and find your unicorn, but need and want is definitely worth weighing up next time you’re creating your wish list.
Working on a brief you’re not sure is realistic? Send it over and I’ll tell you honestly what the market will bear – and where the flex is.
Contact me about your next hire
Zoe Sheen – Senior Recruiter
Finance and Risk, Merseyside & Cheshire
t: 07939854989
e: zoesheen@brosterbuchanan.com
