How to End a CV: Best Ways to Close Your CV in 2026
How you end a CV is equally important to how you start it. Think of leaving a strong final impression. While a CV doesn’t include a formal closing paragraph like a letter, the last section can effectively serve as your closing statement. A polished CV ending can subtly remind the employer of your professionalism and qualifications, giving you an edge over other candidates.
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This guide outlines the best ways to end a CV. Covering topics from education and hobbies to references, you’ll learn how to structure the final section of your document, along with some CV ending examples that make everything perfectly clear.
There are a few different ways to end your CV, depending on the overall structure and how much extra information you want to provide.
Ending your CV with education
In many traditional CV formats, the education section is often placed at the end of the document. Once you have outlined your professional experience, key achievements, and relevant skills, ending with your academic background provides a clear, structured conclusion. This method is especially effective when your degrees or formal training are strong assets for the role you are applying for.
Keep the details concise and relevant.
Present your degrees, diplomas, or academic certificates in reverse chronological order, starting with the most recent qualification.
Include the programme name, the institution, and the date of completion.
Highlight your most recent or highest qualification at the top to ensure that the employer sees your strongest academic credentials last.
It’s important to prioritise academic achievements that directly support your application. If the role requires subject-specific knowledge or higher-level study, placing your educational accomplishments at the end of your CV reinforces your suitability for the position and leaves the reader with a confident, professional final impression.
Education
MSc Data Science
University of London
2019–2020
- Graduated with Distinction
- Thesis: Predictive Analytics for Early Fraud Detection in Financial Transactions
- Relevant modules: Advanced Machine Learning, Statistical Modelling, Big Data Processing, Data Ethics
BSc Mathematics & Economics
University of Manchester
2016–2019
- First-Class Honours
- Awarded Best Undergraduate Dissertation
- Math Society committee member
Ending a CV with relevant qualifications
Another effective way to close your CV is by using a qualifications section, particularly if your professional certifications, publications, or awards are among your strongest selling points. It allows you to reinforce the practical expertise that best aligns with the job requirements.
Ensure your qualifications are listed in reverse chronological order, starting with the most recently earned certification or completed training.
Include the awarding organisation and the date achieved.
Keep the entries focused on qualifications that add clear value to your application. Doing so creates a streamlined and purposeful finish to your document.
Remember to emphasise the qualifications that are most relevant to the role. If the job involves specific technical knowledge, industry-recognised credentials, or regulated training, closing your CV with these qualifications strengthens your position as a capable and well-equipped candidate. Ending on this note subtly underscores your readiness for the role and leaves the employer with a strong final impression of your expertise.
Awards & Recognitions
- Data Innovation Award, InsightWorks Analytics (2023) – Awarded for building a predictive forecasting model that reduced operational variance by 19%.
- Top Analyst of the Year, NorthPeak Financial Services (2022) – Recognised for developing BI dashboards used by senior leadership for strategic planning.
- Winner, University Data Hackathon (2020) – Led a team to design a prototype fraud detection engine using machine learning.
Publications
- “Optimising Demand Forecasting with Machine Learning: A Comparative Study” (2023), Journal of Business Analytics.
- “A Practical Framework for Data Storytelling in Corporate Environments” (2022), Analytics Today Magazine.
- “Detecting Financial Fraud Using Hybrid Classification Models” (2021), Medium (Data Science Tag).
Certifications
- Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate (2023)
- IBM Data Science Professional Certificate (2022)
- Microsoft Azure Fundamentals – AZ-900 (2023)
- Tableau Desktop Specialist (2022)
CV ending: hobbies & interests section
Another option for the final section of a CV is a brief hobbies and interests section. This is a popular choice for candidates who want to show personality or have limited work experience. Including relevant hobbies can demonstrate soft skills and cultural compatibility.
For example, if you’re applying for a creative role, mentioning design or writing as hobbies can subtly emphasise your passion for the field. Similarly, team sports might highlight teamwork abilities, and volunteer work can suggest empathy and initiative.
Keep the hobbies and interests section brief and professional.
Position it at the very end, after your main sections (such as work history and education).
Only include hobbies that are positive and, ideally, relevant or interesting to a potential employer.
Avoid overly broad or controversial interests. The aim is to leave the reader with a well-rounded impression of you as a candidate.
If you have extensive professional experience, you may omit hobbies entirely to save space. However, for entry-level applicants or those switching careers, ending with a brief interests section can help personalise your CV and act as a conversation starter in interviews.
Hobbies & Interests
- Competitive Chess: Actively compete online and in local clubs; enhances strategic thinking and pattern recognition.
- Data Storytelling & Visualisation Projects: Personal portfolio of dashboards built using Tableau & Power BI.
- Puzzle Solving (logic & number puzzles): Regularly practice logic grids, Sudoku, and lateral thinking problems.
- Investment Analysis & Market Research: Track market trends, analyse company financials, and build mock portfolios.
Ending a CV with references
It was once common to conclude a CV with a complete references section, listing names and contact details of referees. However, in contemporary CVs, it’s outdated and unnecessary for the initial application. Instead, most candidates now end their CV with a brief statement such as “References available on request.” This simple remark acts as a professional closing note and reassures employers that you have references prepared.
If you choose to include actual referee details (for example, when explicitly requested by a job advert), make sure it remains the final section and that your referees have consented to being contacted.
References
Laura Mitchell
Senior Data Analytics Manager, InsightWorks Analytics Ltd.
Email: laura.mitchell@insightworks.co.uk
Phone: +44 20 3984 7281
Daniel Roberts
Head of Business Intelligence, NorthPeak Financial Services
Email: daniel.roberts@northpeakfinance.com
Phone: +44 161 782 4410
The perfect CV ending: adding a cover letter
There’s one best way to leave a great impression on your recruiter. And that is including a strong cover letter. Even though it isn’t part of the CV itself, it complements it by offering a formal opportunity to address the hiring manager, highlight your key qualifications, and demonstrate enthusiasm for the role.
In many cases, recruiters will read the cover letter immediately after finishing your CV, so it should reinforce and expand upon the information in your CV. A well-crafted cover letter can highlight your motivation and fit for the position, providing a satisfying conclusion to your application package.
How to end a CV: final tips
Double-check your work for errors and cohesion
Even small spelling or grammar errors can undermine professionalism, so proofread your CV and review it thoroughly. A friend or colleague can help spot issues you might miss. Before finalising, highlight your strongest skills, relevant experience, and accurate contact details clearly.
Send your CV to the right people
Having an excellent CV isn’t enough; sending it to the wrong email can cost opportunities. Check the job advert for a contact or research the right person if applying speculatively. Keep your email concise and professional, attach documents directly, and address the recipient by name when possible.
Use the correct document format
Employers often specify whether they prefer PDF or Word files, so follow their instructions carefully. Saving your CV in the correct format ensures your layout stays intact and the hiring manager can open it without trouble.
Name your files professionally
A clear file name like “FirstName-LastName-CV.pdf” helps employers find your documents easily and shows attention to detail. Avoid vague or informal names that might look unprofessional in a hiring manager’s downloads folder.
Keep your documents consistent
Your CV and cover letter should align in tone, formatting, and style. Consistency produces a polished, cohesive application package and strengthens your professional brand.
Check the length and structure
A CV that is too lengthy can lose the reader’s interest, so aim for one page if you are early in your career or two pages if you have more extensive experience. Make sure the sections flow logically and that the ending doesn’t feel rushed or incomplete.
Ensure ATS friendliness
Applicant Tracking Systems may struggle with complex designs, unusual fonts, or heavy graphics. Keeping your formatting clean and simple helps ensure your CV is interpreted correctly by both software and humans.
Choose one clean closing element
Whether you conclude with qualifications, interests, or a short reference statement, keep the final section focused and uncluttered. A well-chosen closing element helps tie the document together and leaves a confident final impression.
Takeaways for how to end a CV
How you end your CV is almost as important as how you start. While many people rush through the final few sections, you won’t make the same mistake. Qualifications and interests are the two conventional ways to end a CV, though it’s also important to impress with your cover letter in case this is the final thing recruiters read.
Need more advice? Check out the handy tools on our website. We have hundreds of CV examples, CV templates, and online advice to guide you towards success.
Maciej Staszek Tomaszewicz
Content writer
Maciej is a seasoned career expert and a Certified Professional Resume Writer with a passion for helping people land the jobs they deserve. Over the years, he’s crafted countless CV and cover letter guides tailored to a wide range of industries, written advice-packed articles for all kinds of work situations, and produced well-researched resources packed with practical tips for jobseekers across various markets.
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