Some tips:
How to rake easy millions, safe and fast:
Start with a jew buddy, quest him until trade 2 and rare goods unlock, sell those to all rich planets you can, sell all weapons and expand cargo for maximun credits.
How do officers work? Officers are the same as normal crew but they can multiclass, so pick explorer-spy (for card talent) since those are hard to come by until mid-late game.
Diplomats and smugglers are handy to have and easy to grab. (as jews/princes/smugglers friends are easy to get and farm)
NEVER do ship fights if you don't really must, the profits are bad if any, you are likely to lose crew and rep hit is big. (well, pirate/commader/zealot at 15 can get the steal ship talent, but you still pay 75%)
The best talent to escape any fight is Skip Off the Void from L11 navigator, mercant/diplomat/smuggler/spy got similar talents but they only work vs specific humans.
If you see the "xenos in the system" or you see a xeno ship card and you are at hard/permadeath... GET THE FUCK OUT.
Surrender is very ok to pirates (if you can lose the cargo) or the police if you don't have nothing to hide.
5 Lv5 gunner with Supremacy of Firepower (remove risk card at patrol) is all you need for easy farm rep.
GET 2 OR MORE DOCTORS, always take life saver and medical staff.