The Sims 4 offers a vast range of careers for your Sims, with many choices available through the base game and numerous expansions over the years. While each career path offers unique rewards and experiences, success depends on your Sims’ skills and work habits. In this guide, you’ll learn not only the best ways to excel in various jobs but also some universal strategies that will help your Sims rise to the top in any profession.
Career Types in The Sims 4
There are three primary career categories in The Sims 4:
- Active Careers – These careers allow you to control your Sim’s actions at work. You can guide them through their tasks and influence their performance directly.
- Self-Employed or Freelance – In these careers, your Sim takes on gigs at home, such as writing, painting, or programming.
- Rabbit Hole Careers – These jobs involve no direct player input; your Sim simply goes to work and returns with results, leaving the details to be determined by their skills and performance.
General Tips for Advancing in Any Career
No matter which career your Sim pursues, there are some key strategies to keep in mind that will help them succeed.
Focus on Education
Encourage your teens to do well in school, as it directly impacts their starting career level. A B grade boosts your Sim to level 2 in their chosen profession, while an A grade advances them to level 3. College degrees further enhance their job prospects, giving them an edge in specific careers.
Utilize Reward Perks
Lifetime aspiration rewards can be essential for career advancement. Perks like Professional Slacker (which ensures job security) and Connections (which lets your Sim start three levels higher) can provide a significant boost to their career. Savant (which increases skill gains) is also invaluable, as it helps with the skill requirements of most jobs.
Keep Up with Job Tasks
For each career, the game provides specific tasks and skills needed to advance. Make sure your Sim consistently works on their skills and completes the required activities. Active careers will offer random tasks, so staying on top of them will help maximize earnings and promotions.
Work Overtime
If possible, have your Sim work overtime. This not only improves performance but also earns extra money, accelerating progress in their job.
All Sims 4 Careers Breakdown
Here’s an overview of the various careers available, along with tips on the relevant skills, ideal moods, and degrees needed for promotion.
Normal Careers
- Astronaut
- Skills: Fitness, Logic
- Ideal Mood: Focused
- Degree(s): Physics (Space Ranger), Villainy (Interstellar Smuggler)
- Skills: Fitness, Logic
- Athlete
- Skills: Fitness, Charisma, Mischief
- Ideal Mood: Energized
- Degree(s): Biology (Bodybuilder), Communications (Professional Athlete)
- Skills: Fitness, Charisma, Mischief
- Business
- Skills: Charisma, Logic
- Ideal Mood: Confident
- Degree(s): Economics (Investor), Communications (Management)
- Skills: Charisma, Logic
- Culinary
- Skills: Cooking, Gourmet Cooking, Charisma
- Ideal Mood: Inspired
- Degree(s): Culinary Arts (Chef), Communications (Mixologist)
- Skills: Cooking, Gourmet Cooking, Charisma
- Entertainer
- Skills: Guitar, Piano, Violin, Comedy
- Ideal Mood: Inspired
- Degree(s): Fine Art (Musician), Drama (Comedian)
- Skills: Guitar, Piano, Violin, Comedy
- Painter
- Skills: Painting
- Ideal Mood: Inspired
- Degree(s): Fine Art (Master of the Real), Art History (Art Patron)
- Skills: Painting
- Tech Guru
- Skills: Programming, Gaming, Logic
- Ideal Mood: Focused
- Degree(s): Computer Science (Both branches)
- Skills: Programming, Gaming, Logic
- Writer
- Skills: Writing, Charisma
- Ideal Mood: Inspired
- Degree(s): Language and Literature (Author), Communications (Journalist)
- Skills: Writing, Charisma
Active Careers
- Doctor
- Skills: Logic, Charisma, Handiness
- Ideal Mood: Focused
- Degree(s): Biology
- Skills: Logic, Charisma, Handiness
- Detective
- Skills: Logic, Charisma, Fitness, Mischief
- Ideal Mood: Focused
- Degree(s): Psychology
- Skills: Logic, Charisma, Fitness, Mischief
- Scientist
- Skills: Logic, Handiness, Rocket Science
- Ideal Mood: Focused
- Degree(s): Physics
- Skills: Logic, Handiness, Rocket Science
- Retail
- Skills: Charisma, Handiness, Logic
- Ideal Mood: Confident
- Degree(s): Economics, Business
- Skills: Charisma, Handiness, Logic
- Interior Decorator
- Skills: Charisma
- Ideal Mood: Inspired
- Degree(s): None
- Skills: Charisma
Other Notable Careers
- Freelancer
- Skills: Varies by gig
- Ideal Mood: Inspired (for creative jobs), Focused (for programming)
- Degree(s): Language and Literature (Writer), Fine Art (Artist/Photographer), Computer Science (Programmer)
- Skills: Varies by gig
- Military
- Skills: Fitness, Logic, Charisma (Officer), Mischief (Covert Operator)
- Ideal Mood: Focused
- Degree(s): History (Officer), Psychology (Covert Operator)
- Skills: Fitness, Logic, Charisma (Officer), Mischief (Covert Operator)
- Education
- Skills: Logic, Charisma
- Ideal Mood: Focused
- Degree(s): Economics (Administrator), Psychology (Professor)
- Skills: Logic, Charisma
- Law
- Skills: Logic, Charisma, Research & Debate
- Ideal Mood: Focused
- Degree(s): Language and Literature (Private Attorney), History (Judge)
- Skills: Logic, Charisma, Research & Debate
Conclusion
The key to advancing your Sims’ careers in The Sims 4 lies in preparation, skill development, and making the right choices based on their job type. By following these tips, including utilizing education, career-related perks, and staying on top of job requirements, your Sim can rise to the top and enjoy success in their chosen career path. Whether they are climbing the corporate ladder, exploring self-employment, or tackling active jobs, a little effort goes a long way in this life simulation.
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