--- title: How Call to Actions (CTAs) Can Improve Your Recruitment Marketing description: CTAs are very effective ways to get potential candidates to apply and therefore to improve your recruitment marketing strategy at large. image: https://inbound.hargerhowe.com/hubfs/ThinkstockPhotos-470727065.jpg --- [781.425.5005](tel:1-781-425-5005) [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/HargerHoweAdvertising/) [Twitter](https://twitter.com/hargerhoweadv) [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/user/hargerhowe) [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/hargerhoweadv/) [![HargerHowe_Logo_2024hr](https://inbound.hargerhowe.com/hs-fs/hubfs/HargerHowe_Logo_2024hr.png?width=327&height=79&name=HargerHowe_Logo_2024hr.png) ![HargerHowe_Logo_2024-204](https://inbound.hargerhowe.com/hs-fs/hubfs/HargerHowe_Logo_2024-204.png?width=204&height=49&name=HargerHowe_Logo_2024-204.png) ](https://hargerhowe.com/) - [home](https://www.hargerhowe.com/) - [Agency](https://hargerhowe.com/agency/) - [Services](https://hargerhowe.com/services/) - [Our Work](https://hargerhowe.com/showcase/) - [Blog](https://inbound.hargerhowe.com/blog) - [Contact Us](https://hargerhowe.com/contact/) - [Home](https://hargerhowe.com/) - [Agency](https://hargerhowe.com/agency/) - [About Harger Howe](https://hargerhowe.com/agency/) - [Q & A](https://hargerhowe.com/q-a/) - [Services](https://hargerhowe.com/services/) - [Digital Media](https://hargerhowe.com/services/digital-media/) - [Inbound Marketing](https://hargerhowe.com/services/inbound-marketing/) - [Media Placement and Creative Services](https://hargerhowe.com/services/media-placement-and-creative-services/) - [Social Media](https://hargerhowe.com/services/social-media/) - [Recruitment Marketing](https://hargerhowe.com/services/recruitment-marketing/) - [HH Direct Search](https://www.hargerhowedirect.com/) - Our Work - [Case Studies](https://hargerhowe.com/showcase/) - [Featured Content](https://hargerhowe.com/featured-content/) - [Blog](https://inbound.hargerhowe.com/blog) - [Contact Us](https://hargerhowe.com/contact/) [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/HargerHoweAdvertising/) [Twitter](https://twitter.com/hargerhoweadv) [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/user/hargerhowe) [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/hargerhoweadv/) [Refine your recruitment with HH Direct Search!](https://www.hargerhowedirect.com/) # How Call to Actions (CTAs) Can Improve Your Recruitment Marketing - [Home](https://hargerhowe.com/) - [Blog](https://inbound.hargerhowe.com/blog) - How Call to Actions (CTAs) Can Improve... [recruitment](https://inbound.hargerhowe.com/blog/topic/recruitment) [recruitment marketing](https://inbound.hargerhowe.com/blog/topic/recruitment-marketing) ![](https://inbound.hargerhowe.com/hs-fs/hubfs/ThinkstockPhotos-470727065.jpg?width=723&name=ThinkstockPhotos-470727065.jpg) [Jan192016](https://inbound.hargerhowe.com/blog/archive/2016/01/19) **Audio version** In the new world of [Inbound Marketing](https://inbound.hargerhowe.com/blog/inbound-marketing-your-2016-resolution) you may be hearing the acronym CTA a lot. A CTA is a call to action, which alerts readers that they are to take a certain course of action. For instance, if you put up a job posting, there very well maybe a button at the bottom of the listing stating ***APPLY NOW**! * CTAs are very effective ways to get potential candidates to apply and therefore to improve your [recruitment marketing](https://inbound.hargerhowe.com/blog/does-your-recruitment-marketing-pass-the-blink-test) strategy at large. According to [Hubspot](https://www.hubspot.com/), CTAs should be: - *Attractive and include wording that entices candidates to click* - *Short and to the point, no more than five words is ideal* - *Use an action verb (see **Swap the Wording** below for examples)* - *Easily visible following the flow of the overall website* - *Utilizing a contrasting color from the rest of the page (while still in line with brand standards)* - *Big enough to be seen from a distance, but not too big so that they take reader attention away from the actual content* - *Transparent/easy to understand (people should know what they get if they click)* You probably already have some on your [recruitment microsite](https://inbound.hargerhowe.com/blog/so-what-is-a-microsite) or general website, but here are some great ways to improve your CTAs to make sure you are making the most out of them. **1. Round it Out!** [via GIPHY](https://giphy.com/gifs/budlight-dance-party-3ohzdXuaZ47uqBeDw4) Round edged CTAs just test better! According to [Vital Design](https://vtldesign.com/inbound-marketing/bad-call-to-action-buttons-hurt-business-7-fixes/), the science behind it is that as a people, we are naturally more inclined to respond to circular objects and what is contained within, making the CTAs easier to digest overall. **2. Change the Color** Typically, brands will go exclusively with their primary color palette for [branding](https://inbound.hargerhowe.com/blog/branding-and-recruitment-advertising-partners-in-crime) purposes, but if your color is navy blue, consider making the button more visible by trying a brighter shade of blue or even green! [ContentVerve](http://contentverve.com/10-call-to-action-case-studies-examples-from-button-tests/) found a **35.81%** increase in conversion by changing a button color. *Color is a big deal!* **3. Swap the Wording** Simple switches like changing wording can make all the difference. Action verbs like **"get"** and **"download"** prompt the reader to act now! **"Now"** is also a great way to motivate potential candidates. **4. Move It, Move It!** [via GIPHY](https://giphy.com/gifs/party-the-office-hard-l0MYt5jPR6QX5pnqM) Some designers will tell you that the most important information needs to be placed above the fold, but sometimes that isn’t the case. You should place your CTA where it makes the most sense. Job description CTAs for certain positions might work best at the bottom, while others might work better on the site next to a submission form. You’ll need to test both methods to find out what works best for your company. Are you interested in seeing how you CTAs or your recruitment marketing can be improved? We can answer your questions. [![Contact Mike Walsh](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/559861/22546a09-ba00-42d7-9a11-2df113aab347.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/559861/22546a09-ba00-42d7-9a11-2df113aab347) Category: [recruitment](https://inbound.hargerhowe.com/blog/topic/recruitment), [recruitment marketing](https://inbound.hargerhowe.com/blog/topic/recruitment-marketing) [by Gillian Barnes](https://inbound.hargerhowe.com/blog/author/gillian-barnes) [January 19, 2016](https://inbound.hargerhowe.com/blog/archive/2016/01/19) ### Share This Article - - - - - ![Gillian Barnes](https://inbound.hargerhowe.com/hs-fs/hubfs/gillbwsquare.jpg?width=80&height=80&name=gillbwsquare.jpg) #### Author:Gillian Barnes Gillian is Harger Howe's Creative Content Manager. She manages multiple social media entities and works on the overall inbound marketing strategy. [Previous What is a Microsite and Why Do I Need One?](https://inbound.hargerhowe.com/blog/what-is-a-microsite-and-why-do-i-need-one) [Next Is Your Healthcare Recruitment Website Missing the Mark?](https://inbound.hargerhowe.com/blog/is-your-healthcare-recruitment-website-missing-the-mark) ### Recent Articles [![What The 2026 Residency Match Really Means For Recruitment](https://inbound.hargerhowe.com/hubfs/GettyImages-1372638205.jpg)](https://inbound.hargerhowe.com/blog/what-the-2026-residency-match-really-means-for-recruitment) [What The 2026 Residency Match Really Means For Recruitment](https://inbound.hargerhowe.com/blog/what-the-2026-residency-match-really-means-for-recruitment) *July 29, 2026* [![Your Careers Page Is Your First Interview](https://inbound.hargerhowe.com/hubfs/GettyImages-1307162575.jpg)](https://inbound.hargerhowe.com/blog/your-careers-page-is-your-first-interview) [Your Careers Page Is Your First Interview](https://inbound.hargerhowe.com/blog/your-careers-page-is-your-first-interview) *July 20, 2026* [![Every Vacancy Creates Invisible Work](https://inbound.hargerhowe.com/hubfs/GettyImages-2096319765.jpg)](https://inbound.hargerhowe.com/blog/every-vacancy-creates-invisible-work) [Every Vacancy Creates Invisible Work](https://inbound.hargerhowe.com/blog/every-vacancy-creates-invisible-work) *July 14, 2026* [![Physician Recruitment Is a Family Decision: Why Health Systems Must Market the Full Opportunity](https://inbound.hargerhowe.com/hubfs/GettyImages-2259093025.jpg)](https://inbound.hargerhowe.com/blog/physician-recruitment-is-a-family-decision-why-health-systems-must-market-the-full-opportunity) [Physician Recruitment Is a Family Decision: Why Health Systems Must Market the Full Opportunity](https://inbound.hargerhowe.com/blog/physician-recruitment-is-a-family-decision-why-health-systems-must-market-the-full-opportunity) *July 13, 2026* [![The Recruiter Is No Longer the First Source of Information](https://inbound.hargerhowe.com/hubfs/GettyImages-2233005232.jpg)](https://inbound.hargerhowe.com/blog/the-recruiter-is-no-longer-the-first-source-of-information) [The Recruiter Is No Longer the First Source of Information](https://inbound.hargerhowe.com/blog/the-recruiter-is-no-longer-the-first-source-of-information) *June 25, 2026* [![Physician Recruitment Has a User Experience Problem](https://inbound.hargerhowe.com/hubfs/GettyImages-1305333546.jpg)](https://inbound.hargerhowe.com/blog/physician-recruitment-has-a-user-experience-problem) [Physician Recruitment Has a User Experience Problem](https://inbound.hargerhowe.com/blog/physician-recruitment-has-a-user-experience-problem) *June 24, 2026* ### CONNECT WITH US [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/HargerHoweAdvertising/) [Facebook](https://twitter.com/hargerhoweadv) [Facebook](https://plus.google.com/100866082476092210501) [Facebook](https://www.youtube.com/user/hargerhowe) [Facebook](https://www.pinterest.com/hargerhoweadv/) [Facebook](https://www.instagram.com/hargerhoweadv/) ### LOCATIONS **Houston** 1800 St. James Place, Ste. 400 Houston, TX 77056 **Boston** 111 South Bedford St., Ste. 201 Burlington, MA 01803 *Need to talk now? Call us!* [781-425-5005](tel:1-781-425-5005). ### SUBSCRIBE TO NEWSLETTER Do you want to learn more? Subscribe and we’ll send you a monthly newsletter with recruitment tips and helpful tools to help you transform your recruitment marketing strategy. [Subscribe Now](https://inbound.hargerhowe.com/subscribe-to-our-monthly-newsletter) ### WE ARE INBOUND SPECIALISTS [![Agency Partner](https://inbound.hargerhowe.com/hubfs/HargerHowe_April2018/Images/a9acd44930024654a7c21d3ebc067eca.png)](https://academy.hubspot.com/certification) [![Harger Howe Advertising](https://inbound.hargerhowe.com/hubfs/HargerHowe_April2018/Images/hargerhowe-logo-sm-white.png)](https://hargerhowe.com/) Harger Howe Advertising 2026 - [Home](https://hargerhowe.com/) - [Agency](https://hargerhowe.com/agency/) - [About Harger Howe](https://hargerhowe.com/agency/) - [Q & A](https://hargerhowe.com/q-a/) - [Services](https://hargerhowe.com/services/) - [Digital Media](https://hargerhowe.com/services/digital-media/) - [Inbound Marketing](https://hargerhowe.com/services/inbound-marketing/) - [Media Placement and Creative Services](https://hargerhowe.com/services/media-placement-and-creative-services/) - [Social Media](https://hargerhowe.com/services/social-media/) - [Recruitment Marketing](https://hargerhowe.com/services/recruitment-marketing/) - [HH Direct Search](https://www.hargerhowedirect.com/) - Our Work - [Case Studies](https://hargerhowe.com/showcase/) - [Featured Content](https://hargerhowe.com/featured-content/) - [Blog](https://inbound.hargerhowe.com/blog) - [Contact Us](https://hargerhowe.com/contact/)