Mastering the Grind: How to Actually Go to Work in The Sims 4

So, you’re ready to build your Sim’s career and climb that corporate (or maybe culinary!) ladder? Getting your Sim to work in The Sims 4 is a fundamental part of gameplay, but sometimes it can be a little confusing, especially with the various packs and updates. Here’s a detailed breakdown of how to send your Sim to work and what to expect:

The primary way to send your Sim to work is quite straightforward. When your Sim’s scheduled work time arrives, a notification will appear on the screen. You’ll also see a small icon – usually a briefcase or related symbol – appear next to your Sim’s portrait at the bottom of the screen. Simply click on this icon, and your Sim will head off to their job. If you are playing actively when the time comes, the game may ask you to click the confirmation button.

However, depending on the career and whether you have specific expansion packs, there are different ways to approach work in The Sims 4. Let’s explore the options:

Active Careers vs. Regular Careers

The key difference lies in whether you can follow your Sim to work.

• Active Careers: These are careers where you can actively control your Sim during their work hours. The Get to Work expansion pack introduced this feature. Active careers include Doctor, Detective, and Scientist. When your Sim is about to go to work in one of these careers, you’ll get the option to follow them. If you choose to follow them, you’ll be transported to their workplace and given tasks to complete to ensure they have a successful workday.
• Regular Careers: For careers like Business, Culinary, or Athlete, you simply send your Sim off to work. While they are gone, you can focus on other Sims in your household, build skills, or manage the household chores. You can monitor their performance from home by clicking on their portrait and selecting work options, such as “Work Hard” or “Take It Easy.” These choices can influence their mood and performance levels at work.

Preparing Your Sim for Work

Regardless of the type of career, it’s essential to prepare your Sim for a successful workday. This involves ensuring their needs are met before they leave the house.

• Needs: Make sure your Sim is well-rested, fed, and has decent hygiene. High needs will contribute to a positive mood, which will influence their work performance.
• Skills: Certain careers benefit from specific skills. For example, a Sim in the culinary career should focus on the cooking skill, while a Sim in the writing career needs to level up their writing skill. Improving skills can lead to promotions and better job performance.
• Mood: Sims who are in a good mood perform better at work. Try to get them in a focused, inspired, or energized mood before they head out the door, depending on the requirements of their career.

Managing Your Sim While They’re At Work (Regular Careers)

Even though you can’t follow your Sim to a regular career, you can still influence their work day. Click on your Sim’s portrait to see options like:

• Work Hard: This will boost their performance but might make them stressed or tense.
• Take It Easy: This reduces stress but could slow down their progress.
• Meet Co-workers: This option builds relationships, which can be beneficial for career advancement.
• Schmooze with Boss: Similar to meeting co-workers, this helps with career progress.
• Leave Early: Use this option if your Sim is in a really bad mood, but be aware it may negatively impact their performance.

Mastering Active Careers

If you have the Get to Work expansion pack, embracing the active careers can be incredibly engaging. Here’s how to make the most of it:

• Follow Your Sim: When the option appears, click “Go To Work.” You’ll be transported to the workplace.
• Complete Tasks: Pay attention to the objectives listed. These can range from diagnosing patients as a Doctor to solving crimes as a Detective or experimenting with inventions as a Scientist.
• Build Relationships: Interacting with colleagues is key to climbing the ranks.
• Utilize Special Items: Each active career has unique items that can boost performance. Doctors can use medical equipment, Detectives can analyze evidence, and Scientists can use inventions.
• Maintain Needs: Even at work, your Sim’s needs must be met. Pack a lunch, use the restroom, and find time to socialize.

Exploiting the System and Understanding the Game Mechanics

The Sims 4, just like other games, has its own logic and set of rules. Once you understand them, you can start making the most out of the opportunities presented to you. For example, you can increase the mood of your sims before they go to work to increase their performance.

Career Branches and Specialization

As your Sim progresses in their career, they will often have the option to choose a branch or specialization. These branches will affect your Sim’s daily work tasks, as well as the skills they need to develop for future promotion. Choosing the right branch can also be a good idea from a perspective of how much the sim enjoys these tasks.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Sims 4 Careers

Here are some frequently asked questions to further enhance your understanding of how to manage careers in The Sims 4:

1. How do I know when my Sim is going to work? A notification will appear, and a career icon will show up next to their portrait. The career panel also shows their work schedule.
2. Can Sims get fired in Sims 4? Yes, Sims can get fired if their performance is consistently low, if they don’t show up to work, or if they make poor choices at work.
3. What happens if my Sim doesn’t go to work? Their performance will decrease, potentially leading to demotion or termination.
4. Can I change my Sim’s career? Yes, you can change your Sim’s career at any time by using a computer or phone and selecting the “Find a Job” option.
5. How do I get a promotion in Sims 4? Improve relevant skills, maintain a good mood, complete daily tasks, and choose beneficial work options.
6. Are there part-time jobs in Sims 4? Yes, mostly for teens. Part-time jobs include babysitter, barista, fast food employee, and retail employee.
7. How do I make more money in The Sims 4? Get promotions, develop skills, start a side hustle, paint and sell artwork, write and publish books, or grow and sell produce.
8. Can Sims have multiple jobs? Not simultaneously. However, you can switch between careers as often as you like. You can also do odd jobs from the phone.
9. How do I retire my Sim? Elder Sims can retire by using the phone or computer. They will receive a pension based on their career level and length of service.
10. Can children and toddlers have careers in Sims 4? No, children and toddlers cannot have official careers. However, children can complete aspirations that build skills and earn rewards.
11. What is the highest-paying career in Sims 4? It depends on the specific packs you have. Generally, the Scientist (Get to Work), Astronaut (Space Ranger branch), and Criminal (Boss branch) are high earners.
12. Can Sims get sick and miss work? Yes, with the Get to Work expansion, Sims can get sick. If they are too ill to work, they can call in sick, which will affect their performance.
13. Do holiday days affect my Sims’ work schedule? Sims will usually get a day off work during holidays depending on which expansion pack is installed.
14. What expansion packs add new careers? The main expansion pack is Get to Work. Other packs, such as City Living, Discover University, and Eco Lifestyle, add new careers and career branches.
15. How do I influence my Sim’s work performance when they’re at work? Click on their portrait at the bottom of the screen to select options like “Work Hard,” “Take It Easy,” “Meet Co-workers,” or “Schmooze with Boss.”

By following these guidelines, you can effectively manage your Sim’s career and make the most of their working life in The Sims 4. Remember to experiment with different career options and strategies to find what works best for your Sims and your play style. Have fun climbing the ladder and building your Sim’s success!

The Sims 4, like many games, offers valuable learning opportunities. Organizations like the Games Learning Society and GamesLearningSociety.org explore the educational potential of games and how they can foster creativity, problem-solving, and critical thinking.