What does it really take to succeed in IT staffing for the long haul? In this episode of the Elevate the Game Podcast, Jorge Abreu and Eric Bodiwala sit down with Jim Bright, a 26-year veteran of the IT staffing industry and owner of GTN Technical Staffing in Dallas. Jim shares real-world lessons from nearly three decades in recruiting, sales, and leadership, including the mindset shifts that helped him break through early failures and build a thriving business.

Jim explains why recruiting is one of the toughest sales roles out there, describing it as a “dating service” where both the candidate and the client must align. He dives into why rejection is part of the game, how giving yourself permission to fail can unlock growth, and why experience and pattern recognition matter more than shortcuts. Through memorable stories, including a simple landscaping analogy, Jim illustrates the true value a professional staffing firm brings to companies trying to hire top-tier talent.

The conversation also covers how GTN works with startups, mid-market companies, and Fortune 50 organizations across multiple countries, why networking beats job boards for elite talent, and what Jim sees ahead for the staffing industry. The episode wraps with Jim’s perspective on investing, passive income, and staying mentally agile through economic cycles.

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