In order to survive, spies have to be really good at their jobs.
They're required to gain their opponent's trust and respond to a crisis quickly.
In the book "Work Like a Spy: Business Tips from a Former CIA Officer," J.C. Carleson writes about her experience as an undercover agent for the Central Intelligence Agency and the business and career tips she gained during those eight years.
From her experience, we compiled nine career tips that can help any employee reach the top of their professional game — and survive.
Study your industry and look for trends and connections in the field.
"You may diligently read all of the business journals, faithfully study your industry's breaking news, be able to recite from memory your competition's last SEC filing, and still be missing the whole picture."
Basically, you need to gain as much knowledge as possible in your industry and see how everything connects with one another.
Look for trends and try to predict what will happen in the future for your industry. This will help you become an expert in your field.
Source: Work Like a Spy: Business Tips from a Former CIA Officer
Create a "hook" when networking.
"CIA officers spend a great deal of time formulating personalized hooks for their targets. A proper hook contains three elements:
A reason to meet once.
A reason to connect.
A reason to continue to meet.
"A good hook allows a case officer to establish a mutually beneficial relationship quickly — even if this relationship is based on deception."
Similar to a CIA agent, if you want to meet someone in your industry, find a reason for them to want to take the time out to meet you. What can you offer them? Always approach the relationship with what you can do for them before asking for favors.
Source: Work Like a Spy: Business Tips from a Former CIA Officer
Keep your guard up when other people are being nice to you.
"Your cubicle neighbor may suddenly be chattier than usual because he is competing with you for a promotion."
Carleson says you should never let your guard down and you should always know why someone is being nice to you — even if you are familiar with them.
In fact, "your most talented, hardest-working, most gregarious, best-liked co-workers are your biggest threats. That might sound a bit nasty, but he fact of the matter is, you are constantly being compared to your colleagues when it comes to decisions about promotions, bonuses, or career-enhancing opportunities."
Source: Work Like a Spy: Business Tips from a Former CIA Officer
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