Aren’t we all searching for the exceptional?

If you run a startup, then you’ve had moments where you’ve stayed up at night trying to find the rare, exceptional talent that will take your business to the next level.

The type of talent that everyone wants but very few can get. That’s what makes it both exciting and stressful. But, with the right approach, you can build a team of rockstars who will fuel your growth and innovation.

The key? Knowing hiring strategies for startups that actually work. Hiring unicorns is possible, but only if you know the right moves to make.

19 unicorn hiring tips for startups

Understand What Makes a Unicorn
Offer More Than Just a Salary
Leverage Your Network
Build an Employer Brand That Attracts Talent
Be Transparent About Your Challenges
Use Data to Drive Your Decisions
Don’t Overlook Soft Skills
Test for Cultural Fit
Speed Up Your Hiring Process
Create a Candidate Experience That Stands Out
Invest in Your Team’s Development
Partner with a Talent Platform That Specializes in Startups
Keep an Open Mind
Focus on Retention, Not Just Hiring
Offer Remote or Hybrid Work Options
Don’t Get Discouraged by Early Rejections
Tap into Niche Communities
Be Open to Contractors
Build a Culture of Continuous Learning

1. Understand What Makes a Unicorn

Before you can find a unicorn, you need to define what that looks like for your startup. What specific skills, qualities, and experiences are you looking for? Is it someone with expertise in multiple areas, someone who can scale with the company, or someone with leadership potential?

The truth is, unicorns come in different forms, and what you’re looking for might not be the same as what another company needs. So, start by getting very clear on your needs.

Avoid trying to find the impossible “perfect” candidate. Instead, focus on the most critical traits that will drive your startup forward. Define your unicorn before you start searching.

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2. Offer More Than Just a Salary

Startups often can’t compete with big companies on salary alone. But that doesn’t mean you’re out of the game. The best hiring strategies for startups focus on the total package.

Unicorn candidates are often drawn to startups because of the opportunities they offer that large corporations can’t. Think flexible work schedules, creative freedom, stock options, and the chance to make a real impact.

If you can create an attractive offer beyond just salary, you’ll increase your chances of landing that rare talent. Highlight the growth potential, the chance to be part of something exciting, and how they can shape the company’s future. Build a total package that goes beyond salary, flexibility and opportunity matter more.

3. Leverage Your Network

Leverage Your Network

One of the most overlooked hiring tips for startups is utilizing your network. Referrals are often one of the best ways to find unicorn candidates. When you tap into your existing network; whether that’s through employees, industry connections, or startup communities, you’re already ahead of the game.

People in your network are more likely to recommend high-quality candidates because their own reputation is on the line. Plus, referrals tend to move faster than traditional hiring methods, which is essential for a fast-paced startup environment. Your network is a goldmine, use it.

4. Build an Employer Brand That Attracts Talent

Unicorns don’t come looking for just any job. They’re attracted to companies with a strong mission, vision, and culture. If your startup doesn’t have an appealing employer brand, even the best hiring strategies for startups will fall flat.

Start by building a brand that showcases who you are and why talented people should want to work for you. This could mean highlighting your company’s values, your commitment to innovation, or your exciting growth plans.

Use social media, blog posts, and press coverage to get the word out. The more attractive your brand, the easier it is to attract top-tier talent. You should aim to build a brand that unicorns want to be a part of.

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5. Be Transparent About Your Challenges

One common mistake startups make when hiring is sugarcoating everything. But unicorn candidates aren’t fooled, they want to know the real story. Be honest about your startup’s challenges and growth trajectory.

The right candidate will be excited about the opportunity to tackle those challenges and help drive the company forward.

In fact, many unicorn candidates are drawn to roles where they can solve problems and have a meaningful impact. So, don’t be afraid to be transparent—it can actually work in your favor. Transparency about challenges attracts the right type of problem solvers.

6. Use Data to Drive Your Decisions

Use Data

Hiring can be a gamble if you’re relying solely on gut instinct. But one of the most effective hiring strategies for startups is using data to inform your decisions.

Track key hiring metrics like time-to-hire, source of hire, and candidate conversion rates to see what’s working and what’s not.

By using data, you can optimize your hiring process and make more informed decisions. Plus, you can identify trends that might help you attract better talent, faster. Use data to make smarter hiring decisions.

7. Don’t Overlook Soft Skills

It’s tempting to focus purely on technical skills when you’re hiring for a startup, but that’s a mistake. The best unicorns not only have the hard skills you need but also excel in soft skills like communication, adaptability, and teamwork.

In fact, many unicorn candidates thrive in environments where they can collaborate, lead, and navigate ambiguity, key traits for a startup environment.

During the interview process, ask questions that assess both hard and soft skills. You’re not just hiring for what they can do technically, but how they can fit into your team and help it grow. Soft skills are as important as hard skills in a unicorn hire.

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8. Test for Cultural Fit

A unicorn might have all the technical skills and experience you’re looking for, but if they don’t fit into your company culture, it’s a recipe for disaster.

That’s why one of the top hiring tips for startups is testing for cultural fit. You want someone who shares your values and can thrive in your specific work environment.

During interviews, ask about how they handle failure, work under pressure, and adapt to change. These are all crucial factors in a startup where agility and resilience are key. Culture fit matters as much as skills, don’t skip this step.

9. Speed Up Your Hiring Process

Speed Up Hiring

If you’re building a startup, then you should know speed matters a lot. You can’t afford to drag your feet during the hiring process, especially when you’re targeting unicorn candidates.

These high-demand individuals are often fielding multiple offers, and if you wait too long, you’ll lose them.

Streamline your hiring process by eliminating unnecessary steps and moving quickly from interview to offer. Use tools like applicant tracking systems to keep things moving smoothly. The faster you can make a decision, the better your chances of securing top talent. Move quickly, unicorns won’t wait for you.

10. Create a Candidate Experience That Stands Out

The candidate experience can make or break your hiring efforts. If your hiring process is slow, disorganized, or confusing, unicorn candidates will walk away.

Make sure your hiring process is smooth, clear, and respectful of the candidate’s time. Respond quickly to inquiries, keep them informed about next steps, and make them feel valued throughout the process.

A great candidate experience can also help build your employer brand, attracting even more top-tier talent in the future. A seamless candidate experience helps you stand out.

11. Invest in Your Team’s Development

If you want to attract unicorn talent, you need to show that you’re invested in the growth and development of your team. Offering opportunities for learning and advancement can be a huge draw for high-performing candidates.

Whether it’s mentorship, professional development programs, or the chance to take on leadership roles, showing that you value growth will help you attract and retain the best talent.

This also ties back to building a strong employer brand; people want to work for a company that values them. Invest in development to attract high-performing talent.

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12. Partner with a Talent Platform That Specializes in Startups

When you’re running a startup, time is of the essence. Sometimes, the best approach is to partner with a platform that specializes in connecting startups with top-tier talent.

This is where RocketDevs comes into play. We help you find talented developers who are not only skilled but also understand the fast-paced nature of startups. Why waste time sifting through endless applications when you can access a curated list of highly qualified candidates?

Contact RocketDevs now to find your next unicorn developer!

13. Keep an Open Mind

Lastly, one of the most important hiring tips for startups is to keep an open mind. Unicorns don’t always look the way you expect. Sometimes, the best candidate might not tick every box on your checklist but could still bring immense value to your company.

Maybe they have a non-traditional background or a unique combination of skills that don’t fit neatly into a job description. Don’t be too rigid in your criteria.

If you find someone who has potential, passion, and a strong cultural fit, they might just be the unicorn you’ve been searching for. Remember to be flexible, unicorns come in all shapes and sizes.

14. Focus on Retention, Not Just Hiring

Retention

One of the most underrated hiring strategies for startups is focusing on retention just as much as the hiring process itself. It’s one thing to hire a unicorn, but keeping them around is another challenge altogether.

Startups are fast-paced, often volatile environments, and it’s easy for top talent to burn out or feel unappreciated. To retain unicorn hires, you need to create a work environment that fosters their growth, encourages creativity, and makes them feel valued.

Regular check-ins, performance reviews, and personalized career development plans can make all the difference. Startups need to be proactive in keeping their best talent engaged—offering new challenges and responsibilities when appropriate. Even unicorns need to feel like they’re growing. Retention should always be a key part of your hiring strategy.

15. Offer Remote or Hybrid Work Options

Remote work is no longer a perk, it’s an expectation for many top-tier candidates. Especially in tech roles, unicorn developers often prefer the flexibility of remote or hybrid work setups.

Startups that insist on in-office work may limit their talent pool significantly. Being open to flexible work arrangements can help attract and retain the unicorn talent you’re seeking.

This is especially relevant for startups that don’t have the budget to compete on salary alone. Offering flexible work options can make your company more attractive without having to increase financial compensation.

Consider implementing a hybrid or fully remote work model to access talent from anywhere in the world. With platforms like RocketDevs, you can hire highly skilled developers from Africa and other regions, who can work remotely and still provide exceptional results.

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16. Don’t Get Discouraged by Early Rejections

Startups often face more hiring challenges than established companies, and it’s easy to get discouraged if your first few offers are rejected by candidates. But here’s the thing, hiring unicorns is a long game. You might face several setbacks before you find the right fit, and that’s okay.

The hiring market, especially for rare talent, is competitive. Top candidates may be weighing multiple offers or looking for just the right cultural fit. Don’t let early rejections discourage you from continuing your search. Instead, refine your pitch, improve your offer, and keep an open mind.

Remember, hiring unicorns takes patience and persistence. The best talent often takes longer to secure, but once you do, the rewards are worth the wait. Stay patient, hiring unicorns is a long game.

17. Tap into Niche Communities

Niche Communities

Mainstream job boards aren’t always the best places to find unicorn candidates. Many top-tier professionals hang out in niche online communities, whether it’s forums, Slack groups, GitHub, or even specialized industry events. These platforms allow you to connect directly with the talent you’re looking for in a more personal, targeted way.

For example, if you’re hiring for a specific role, like a developer, you might find your unicorn in a GitHub repository, where they’ve contributed to open-source projects.

For designers, Dribbble or Behance might be where they showcase their portfolios. Get creative about where you look, these communities are often more fruitful than traditional job boards.

Niche communities are full of untapped talent, find your unicorns where they already hang out.

18. Be Open to Contractors

When you think of unicorn hires, you probably imagine full-time employees. But many unicorns work as freelancers or contractors before committing to a full-time gig. In fact, some of the most skilled professionals prefer the flexibility of freelance work while still bringing high value to your company.

One of the smartest hiring tips for startups is to consider hiring contractors for short-term or project-based work. Not only does this allow you to “test drive” a candidate’s skills before offering a full-time position, but it also opens up the possibility of working with talented people who might not want to commit to full-time employment right away.

Platforms like RocketDevs make it easy to hire developers on a contract basis. Whether you need someone for a quick project or long-term collaboration, RocketDevs connects you with vetted talent to meet your needs. Hire a developer now at RocketDevs and experience the flexibility of working with top talent, risk-free.

Don’t rule out contractors, many unicorns start as freelancers.

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19. Build a Culture of Continuous Learning

One thing that attracts unicorns to startups is the opportunity to learn and grow. Talented individuals often want to be challenged and to work in an environment that fosters continuous learning. If your startup doesn’t prioritize learning and development, you’re likely to lose out on attracting the best talent.

Offer learning opportunities like mentorship, workshops, access to online courses, and resources for self-development. Creating an environment where employees are constantly encouraged to upskill will not only attract unicorns but also keep them engaged long-term. It’s a win-win. Encourage a culture of learning to attract and retain top talent.

Summary

Hiring unicorns isn’t easy, but it’s not impossible either. With the right hiring strategies for startups, you can attract, engage, and hire the kind of talent that will transform your company. From using your network to building a strong employer brand, these 19 hiring tips for startups will help you find the rockstars you need to grow your business.

Think your startup desperately needs unicorn hires? Rocketdevs offers top-notch developers who can scale with your startup effortlessly. We specialize in connecting startups with the best developers, so you can build a dream team without the hassle.

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