Determine if $f(3)$ is an extrema candidate.
That is, does $f^\prime(3) = 0$ or does $f^\prime(3) = DNE$

$f^\prime(3) = (3^2-9)$(some negative value) $= 0$ 
Yes, $f(3)$ is an extrema candidate! It could be a relative max, a relative min, or neither.

Determine if $f(3)$ is a relative max, relative min or neither. Use the 1st-derivative test:
To do this, determine if $f^\prime(x)$ changes sign at $x = 3$.
Evaluate a little to the left and a little to the right.
To the left: $f^\prime(2.9) = (2.9^³ − 9)$(some negative value) $=$ (negative)(negative) $=$ positive.
To the right: $f^\prime(3.1) = (3.1^³ − 9)$(some negative value) $=$ (positive)(negative) $=$ negative.
Conclusion: Since $f^\prime(3) = 0$ and $f^\prime(x)$ changes from positive to negative at $x = 3$, therefore $f(3)$ is a relative maxima.

Now test $f(−3)$.