How to Resign Professionally and Protect Your Reference
Check your contract first for the notice period and any restrictions. In Ireland the minimum statutory notice an employee must give is one week for most staff, but contracts often require more.
Do not resign until you have a signed offer and have read the terms, including start date, probation and benefits.
Tell your manager in person or by call before sending anything in writing. Then send a short, polite letter confirming your last working day. You do not need to explain your reasons in detail.
Offer a clear handover plan: documents, contacts, open tasks. A tidy exit is what people remember and it protects references you may need for years.
If a counter-offer arrives, ask yourself why you wanted to leave in the first place. Money alone rarely fixes problems with the role, manager or culture.