In the constantly changing realm of creative fields, where innovation intersects with artistry, the importance of talent recruitment has never been more significant. Behind the curtains of certain innovative studios worldwide, there exists a specialised team of professionals - executive recruiters and headhunters - who are not simply filling vacancies, but creating lasting impacts.

Sourcing Unicorns wanted to delve further into the vision of our company. Who could provide us with better insight than our founder, Ariane Sautreuil? She has created a special position within Sourcing Unicorns, assisting creative studios in finding top-quality talent that aligns with their culture. In this internal interview, we delve into Ariane's experience, her skills in recruiting talent, and what sets Sourcing Unicorns apart as a reliable ally for creative studios worldwide.

The Transition from Creative Sectors to Talent Acquisition

Q: Your career started in the world of art galleries and the creative field. What motivated you to transition into recruitment?

Ariane: "I don’t think I actively chose recruitment, but when I started working in headhunting, I recognised that many of my natural skills and my academic background were coming together. That synergy inspired me to continue. My passion for the creative industry never left me—it was simply reoriented toward finding the right people to push the boundaries of that industry forward."

Q: You have dedicated a substantial amount of time collaborating with Moment Factory, where your journey of being recruited commenced. How did that experience influence your approach, and when did you realize recruitment was the best choice for you?

Ariane: "Moment Factory was a turning point for me. I fell in love with the content they produced and the organic nature of the industry, but what truly solidified my passion and captivated me was the people—talented individuals from all over the world, who were kind, open, and willing to engage, open to collaborating and recommend others. That’s when I realised that recruitment in this space felt like more than just a job; it was about building meaningful relationships that could impact the industry as a whole—it felt natural, enriching, and something I wanted to be a part of every day."

Q: Why did you decide to establish Sourcing Unicorns, and what changes has the company undergone since then?

Ariane: "Back in 2016, being based in Europe, I couldn’t find the same culture & management style that Moment Factory had as one of the leading companies in the immersive and creative industry in Montreal in Canada. Remote work with them was the perfect first step for me and it went from there onwards. As I grew professionally, I wanted to share my love and passion for the industry, brainstorm and analyse the sector and create something special. Today, in Sourcing Unicorns with our current team, I’m more focused on strategic analysis, and we've built a horizontal, fully remote culture where I coach my colleagues, they teach me, and together we continuously keep structuring and improving our services. I’m in love with every aspect of this journey."

The Difficulties and Victories of Innovative Hiring

Q: Hiring in the creative industries stands out when compared to other sectors. What makes this process unique?

Ariane: "The roles we fill are a mix of technical, strategic, and creative, which is why we’ve always worked closely with the hiring managers. It’s far from the traditional recruitment approach where agencies primarily interact with HR teams. We act more like an extension of the studio, collaborating directly with those who will be working alongside the new hire. We aim for a collaborative process with decision-makers to ensure the most precise and aligned recruitment and make sure we recruit the best cultural and professional fit."

Q: It must have been challenging to start your own recruitment agency. What were the major hurdles you faced, and how did you successfully navigate through them?

Ariane: "We face challenges every day, but we grow from them. Our approach is organic, and that means we learn together as a team—whether it’s about improving internal processes or refining how we communicate, or collaborating with clients. Challenges don’t feel like setbacks as long as we’re growing from them. We’ve been fortunate to work with studios that value long-term collaboration, which allows us to evolve alongside their teams. It’s all about continuous improvement and organic growth."

Q: How do you blend effortlessly into the distinct culture of the studios you collaborate with?

Ariane: "Our communication is transparent, and we take the time to observe and fit where we’re needed. Each studio has its own culture, and even departments within the same studio may have their “subcultures”. We adapt our approach to integrate seamlessly into their environment, almost as though we were internal team members ourselves, ensuring collaboration and cultural fit as smoothly as an in-house colleague would."

Sourcing Unicorns’ Innovative Approach

Q: Sourcing Unicorns is recognised for its teamwork and collaborative strategy, closely teaming with clients from a remote setting since 2016. How has the virtual recruitment model impacted your procedures, especially in evaluating candidates' suitability based on body language and virtual communication?

Ariane: "The more closely we collaborate with a team, the better we understand their cultural fit and what kind of colleague they need. Virtual meetings can reveal a lot of insight into a person’s fit for the team if you know what to pay attention to. I’ve recruited talent remotely for years, including candidates who needed to relocate across continents to Montreal without ever meeting the client teams in person beforehand. It’s all about knowing what to look for and having open, honest communication. We rarely meet face-to-face, but the cultural alignment is still there because of how deeply we integrate with the teams we serve. I have almost seen none of my colleagues from the client side. Of course, I’d love to see them more. That said, I’d love to visit my colleagues in Montreal"

Human-centred Hiring

Q: How do you communicate your enthusiasm for recruitment within your team, and what characteristics are crucial for achieving success as a headhunter in this field?

Ariane: "Curiosity is key. The creative industry is always changing, so a headhunter needs to stay curious, informed, and adaptable. Being a people person is important —recruitment is all about connection with people. I believe I am bringing a lot of my passion for the industry to the team, but our collaborative approach means each one of us has their own unique interest and relationship with the industry, which is what makes us effective and contributing uniquely."

Q: When choosing candidates, Sourcing Unicorns prioritizes cultural fit and long-term vision. How can you make sure that candidates possess the required skills and also fit well with the specific characteristics of each studio you collaborate with?

Ariane: "Our recruitment process is highly collaborative, both with the candidates and the clients. By working closely with a candidate throughout the process, we can gauge how well they’ll fit into the studio’s team. We know each part of the industry we source talent from and how it translates for the recruiting team. We’re also transparent with both sides, especially when transitioning talent from one sector to another. We also anticipate potential challenges, For example, someone moving from VFX to immersive content production will face different tools, team dynamics, and project timelines. We are transparent about these differences from the first interview, both with the candidate and the hiring team to ensure a smooth transition and any adaptations needed to accommodate it."

Q: What sets certain talent apart as irreplaceable in today's competitive market? What qualities do you seek in a creative portfolio that indicate someone is a rare and exceptional ‘Unicorn’?

Ariane: "It’s more than just technical skills or knowledge. May it be for their mindset, drive, technical problem-solving skills, or knowledge of the sector, every talent brings their own distinct approach and style. At the end of the day, we’re not just looking for someone who can do the job—we’re looking for the right person who can grow with the team and contribute to its evolution."

*Credits to The Artist “Maliboo” -* *https://www.instagram.com/m.a.l.i.b.oo/*

Fostering Solid Relationships with Clients and Candidates

Q: Establishing solid connections is crucial in the recruiting process. How can you build and uphold trust with clients and candidates while also improving your employer branding?

Ariane: "We take a broad approach when we meet candidates. We don’t just focus on the role we’re hiring for—we try to understand their ideal position, even if it’s not what we’re currently offering, we stay in touch until something perfect comes along. Clients trust us because we can identify when a candidate is the right fit and when they aren’t, even if they have great technical skills, we don’t just recommend candidates who fit the job—we recommend those who fit the team's long-term vision, especially when building new teams. For instance, if you’re looking for a manager who’s going to shape and build a new team, their technical skills won’t be enough, you need to find someone structured in a way that they will have the drive and the means to build that team properly."

Q: How do you ensure clients and candidates continue to have confidence in your expertise and knowledge? What differentiates Sourcing Unicorns as a reliable partner for your clients, and what makes it unique compared to other recruitment and headhunting agencies?

Ariane: "We are generalists in an ever-changing, complex industry. Our close relationships with clients and candidates, combined with our curiosity and humility, allow us to keep learning and adapting. We stay humble and ask the right questions, always curious and eager to keep learning about the sector."

*Sourcing Unicorns Team Work Day in Tangier, Morocco*

Considering what lies ahead

Q: With the ongoing evolution of the creative industry. What are your plans for adjusting your strategies and what do you envision for the future of Sourcing Unicorns in the next 5 to 10 years?

Ariane: "We’re growing organically alongside the industry. I want to continue growing as a manager and ensure that our growth remains qualitative. We’ve started offering coaching services to HR teams in our clients’ studios, and recently, we’ve begun helping executives who want to grow in this industry and become consultants or rethink their career paths. I think now we are closer to talents and gaining more recognition, which makes talent management and coaching a natural next step for us. Everything is happening organically, and I’m excited for the future."

In conclusion

Sourcing Unicorns goes beyond just being a recruitment agency; it serves as a reliable ally in constructing the innovative teams of tomorrow. We inquired of Ariane, "Can you sum up Sourcing Unicorns in a single sentence?" As a final idea and as she phrases it, "We are the HR department for small creative studios and the recruitment experts for larger ones." The competition for skilled individuals is intense, however, Sourcing Unicorns remains dedicated to discovering and developing top talent, guaranteeing lasting achievements for both customers and job seekers.

Exploring a Recruiter's Thoughts: Interview with Ariane, Creator of Sourcing Unicorn