From Coordinator to Unicorn Leader — Lessons from Andrew Cesarz
In this episode of The Unicorn Whisperer, we sit down with Andrew Cesarz, a recruiting leader with an impressive track record at some of the world’s most recognizable unicorn companies—Uber, Facebook, Salesforce, Rippling, Twilio, and now Airwallex. From his humble start as a recruiting coordinator to leading high-performing TA teams, Andrew shares the lessons that shaped his career and how others can follow a similar path.
5 Key takeaways from Andrew’s time on the Unicorn Whisperer
If you only have time to read this article, here’s the five key things from Andrew’s experience that may help you in your career.
The Power of Outbound Sourcing
Inbound dries up. Brands fluctuate. But great recruiters stay productive because they know how to go outbound. Andrew shares how mastering sourcing early in his career—especially in low-brand or high-growth environments—became one of the most important skills that set him apart from his peers.
Takeaway: Andrew attributes much of his success to mastering outbound sourcing early in his career. He compares sourcing to a sales function: you build a target list, reach out cold, and convert top talent into candidates.
Why it Matters: Every recruiter hits periods with low inbound—especially at lesser-known or early-stage companies. Outbound skills ensure consistency and control over pipeline quality and volume.
Scaling from IC to Recruiting Leader
Andrew didn’t just fall into recruiting—he climbed every rung. From scheduling interviews to managing global teams, his story offers a tangible roadmap for recruiters who want to grow into leadership roles at high-growth companies.
Takeaway: Moving into management required a shift in focus from individual output to enabling others. Andrew emphasized teaching recruiters foundational skills and influencing stakeholders at a strategic level.
Why it Matters: Career progression in TA often lacks structure. Andrew’s experience shows that becoming a great manager requires mastery of IC skills, plus the ability to drive accountability and change at scale.
Check out Unicorn Talent’s Recruiting Career Ladder here
How to Run a Great Intake Session
When done right, intake sessions can serve as a single source of truth for everyone involved in the hiring process. Andrew shares how his approach to these meetings streamlines everything from sourcing to debriefs—especially when hiring for repeat roles or building high-volume pipelines.
Takeaway: The intake session is the foundation of a successful search. Andrew’s approach involves documenting role details, clarifying must-haves, defining competencies, and building a repeatable framework.
Why it Matters: Without a strong intake, recruiters waste time, hiring managers lose trust, and candidate experience suffers. A well-run intake aligns every part of the process—from sourcing to offer.
Check out Unicorn Talent’s Intake Session Framework here
Managing Change and Holding Teams Accountable
Hiring plans shift. Roles evolve. Andrew explains how documenting these changes creates alignment and accountability—turning recruiting into a strategic business partner rather than a reactive service org.
Takeaway: Andrew recommends documenting when roles change mid-search—whether in a Google doc, ATS, or job req. Change is fine, but tracking it protects recruiters and clarifies why timelines shift.
Why it Matters: In recruiting, change is inevitable. But unmanaged change leads to missed goals. Clear records and shared context help turn process breakdowns into improvement opportunities.
The Most Underrated Metric: Conversion Rates
It's not just about hitting a hiring goal—it’s about knowing how you got there. Andrew talks through how he uses conversion rates and source tracking to assess recruiter impact, optimize funnels, and keep executives aligned.
Takeaway: Conversion rates are Andrew’s favorite metric. They help diagnose performance issues across the funnel—from sourcing and recruiter screens to hiring manager interviews.
Why it Matters: Conversion data is a mirror. It reflects how well your process is working and where to focus attention—be it candidate quality, interview structure, or manager behavior.
Check out Unicorn’s philosophy on funnel conversion rates here
This episode is a masterclass in recruiting process, leadership, and execution. Whether you’re early in your career or managing a team, Andrew’s story offers real-world strategies to help you navigate and thrive in the talent space—especially if your sights are set on scaling with unicorn companies.