How do you quit a job in The Sims 4? Whether your Sim is burned out from their 9-to-5 grind or just ready to chase a new dream, quitting a job in The Sims 4 is refreshingly simple. With a few quick clicks on your Sim’s phone or computer, you can say sayonara to that career and start a brand new chapter—no resume, exit interview, or awkward goodbyes required (unless you want those for storytelling, of course!). In this guide, we’ll break down every detail about leaving a career in The Sims 4, explore all your options, and answer the “what-ifs” that might pop into your mind as you wave goodbye to your Sim’s job. Ready for a fresh start? Let’s dig in.

Why Sims Might Quit Their Jobs (And Why You Should Too!)

Ever had a Sim who just looked miserable shuffling into work each morning, fun and hygiene plummeting while their boss texted them for the third time that week? Maybe you’ve played a legacy family where it’s time to retire and focus on those last few aspirations. Or perhaps your Sim just inherited a mountain of Simoleons and wants to make a hobby out of baking cupcakes all day. Whatever the reason, knowing how (and why) to quit a job adds tremendous flexibility and fun to your Sims 4 gameplay.

How to Quit a Job in The Sims 4: The Basics

Use Your Sim’s Phone

By far, the easiest way to quit a job is through your Sim’s phone. Just follow these steps:

  • Click on the phone icon in the bottom left corner of the screen.
  • Navigate to the briefcase icon, usually labeled “Business” or “Career” (this can vary based on your Sims 4 build and expansion packs).
  • Click “Quit Job.”
  • Confirm the action when prompted. Your Sim will call their workplace and, after a quick pop-up, boom! They’re officially unemployed.

The Computer Method

If you’re more of a desktop Simmer, you’re covered too. Head to any computer, select “Career” in the interaction menu, and choose “Quit Job.” Easy as pie! Your Sim will hop onto the PC and exit their job with a few taps—no fuss, no muss.

Switching Careers Instantly

Here’s a neat trick: If you want your Sim to switch jobs rather than retire fully, there’s no need to quit first. Just click “Find a Job” from the phone or computer. Once you select a new career, the game will ask if you want to leave your old position. Say YES and your Sim will switch paths on the spot. It’s as seamless as switching outfits!

Special Cases: Freelancers, Gigs, and Retirement

Quitting a Freelancer or Gig Career

Freelance and gig careers work a bit differently. If your Sim is a freelancer (like a writer or artist), click the phone or computer and look for the “Quit Job” or “Quit Career” option. Some gigs can be canceled partway through, but you’ll often have to complete any active contracts first.

Retiring—Not Just for Elders!

If your Sim is an elder, you’ll see a “Retire” option instead of “Quit Job.” Retiring gives your Sim a small daily pension, perfect for golden years spent gardening or knitting. But adults and teens don’t get this perk—only elders can officially “retire.”

What Happens After You Quit?

Wondering what to expect after taking the plunge? Here’s what usually happens:

  • Your Sim becomes unemployed (no more paychecks or work tasks).
  • Relationships with coworkers might decay (they won’t call as much or invite you out).
  • If your Sim later joins a new career, they start at the first level—there’s usually no cross-over between old and new job skills, although similar skills (like Writing or Painting) can help you climb to the top faster in a new field.
  • Sims with the Neat trait might feel extra freedom to clean the house—that’s just how Sims work! On the flip side, Lazy Sims may just take more naps instead.

Can You Use Cheats to Quit Instantly?

Absolutely! Sometimes, a Sim’s job just doesn’t fit your story—and you don’t want to bother with phones or menus. Here’s how to use cheats to remove a career:

  • Press Ctrl+Shift+C to open the cheat console.
  • Type testingcheats true to enable cheats.
  • Enter remove_career [CareerName] (replace [CareerName] with the actual career, like remove_career writer).
  • If your Sim is an elder, you can also use retire [CareerName] to retire with a pension.

For more comprehensive cheat commands, check out Carl’s Sims 4 Career Guide, which is a treasure trove for career manipulation, promotions, and everything in-between.

Tips for Storytellers and Challenge Players

Quitting isn’t just for bored Sims. Stories often flow better when your Sim leaves a hated job for a dramatic reason: following a crush to a new city, having a midlife crisis, or failing spectacularly on a bad day. For those playing legacy or rags-to-riches challenges, quitting jobs to take risky, creative paths is often the most fun part. Don’t be afraid to get creative—after all, The Sims is all about telling stories your way.

Best External Guides for Quitting Jobs in The Sims 4

If you want to dig even deeper, these guides cover careers, quitting, and everything in between:

FAQs About Quitting a Job in The Sims 4

Is there any penalty for quitting a job?

There’s typically no penalty for leaving a job—your Sim doesn’t lose skills, friends, or get a permanent negative moodlet. However, you’ll lose that daily paycheck, so make sure your household can stay afloat or plan for another income stream. That said, ambitious Sims might get a temporary “Sad” moodlet from not having work, but it fades quickly.

Can teens and elders quit jobs the same way?

Teens can quit jobs through the same phone or computer options as adults. Elders, on the other hand, get the “Retire” option. Retiring gives a small daily pension, whereas quitting does not. Both options remove your Sim from the workforce, but only elders get the retirement benefit.

Do freelance jobs and side gigs work differently?

They do! Freelance jobs and gigs (like being a freelance writer, artist, or programmer) are quit in the same way—from the phone or computer—but you may have to finish in-progress gigs first. If you’re not seeing the option, make sure no gigs are pending. If in doubt, cancel all current assignments, then quit.

Can my Sim change careers without quitting first?

Yes! When you choose a new job via “Find a Job,” the game asks if you want to leave your old position first, making changing careers seamless. There’s no need to manually quit before accepting a new gig.

What happens to my Sim’s work performance or promotions if they quit?

When your Sim leaves a job, their work performance, rank, and promotion history vanish with it. If they rejoin the same career later, they’ll start from scratch. Their personal skills, like Charisma or Cooking, remain, but career-specific data does not carry over.

Are there any unique outcomes or storytelling opportunities from quitting?

Definitely! Quitting can lead to new life directions—maybe your Sim pursues an aspiration, focuses on family, runs a side hustle, or simply enjoys their free time. Sims with high skills in an area can leverage those for new careers or side income. Don’t be afraid to let your storytelling imagination run wild; quitting is just the beginning of something new!