This document outlines 7 high-impact career development strategies presented by Marv Russell, an author, speaker, and OD/HR consultant with over 25 years of experience. The strategies are: 1) leverage your ethnic culture; 2) define your career objectives; 3) be essential, exceptional, and ethical; 4) perfect your elevator speech; 5) build your brand on social media; 6) find a mentor; and 7) be prepared for both rejection and success. Russell emphasizes that individuals own and manage their own careers, and must view themselves as a brand to be leveraged through skills, knowledge, and learning from failures.

1. www.marvrussell.com
marv@marvrussell.com
312.315.7737
EXPERTISE
• 25+ years Corporate Leadership Experience
• OD/HR Consultant, Author, Speaker, Leadership Coach
• Student-Athlete Performance Coach
o Notre Dame student-athlete
Career Development Strategies
7 High-Impact Steps
to
Own and Manage Your Career
by Marv Russell
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2. 7 High-Impact
Career Development Strategies
www.marvrussell.com
The development of your career is tough and if
you are in a career transition, it can be
stressful.
You must be flexible to the needs and
expectations of a potential employer.
You are your brand and your job is brand
management.

3. 7 High-Impact
Career Development Strategies
www.marvrussell.com
1. Leverage your ethnic culture
• Today organizations value cultural differences
• Research a prospective employer’s values
o Social media posts, images and channels are a
good way to understand a company’s brand and
values

4. 7 High-Impact
Career Development Strategies
www.marvrussell.com
2. Define your career objective
• Write down your immediate career goal
• Write down your ideal career goal
• Define the steps you need to follow to achieve
your ideal career goal
• Be intentional
o Review and update your career objectives on a
regular basis

5. 7 High-Impact
Career Development Strategies
www.marvrussell.com
3. Be essential, exceptional and ethical
• Be essential
o Make sure you have the knowledge and skills
employers in your field need
• Be exceptional
o Your performance must be exceptional
• Be ethical
o Your behaviors must be ethical and meet the
expectations of your employer and clients

6. 7 High-Impact
Career Development Strategies
www.marvrussell.com
4. Perfect your elevator speech
• Always be prepared with a 30-60 second
summary of your skills, knowledge and career
goals
o Be concise: you only have a few seconds to grab
and hold their attention
o Be clear: use language everyone understands
o Tell your story: showcase your personality
o Close with a CTA: what’s the next step

7. 7 High-Impact
Career Development Strategies
www.marvrussell.com
5. Build your brand on social media
• Employers research social for prospects and
current employees
• Your online behavior is your brand
• If you have to wonder if its OK to post
something, it’s probably not
• Create a social profile that promotes who you
are and where you want to go

8. 7 High-Impact
Career Development Strategies
www.marvrussell.com
6. Find a mentor
• Someone who knows you, who will tell you the
truth and whose advise you trust

9. 7 High-Impact
Career Development Strategies
www.marvrussell.com
7. Be prepared for rejection and success
• Welcome the small wins
o Internships, letters of recommendation, volunteer
work
• Learn from rejection
o Failure is an opportunity to learn and improve

10. 7 High-Impact
Career Development Strategies
You own and manage your career
You are your brand
Your skills and knowledge are strengths to be leveraged
Failure is an opportunity to learn and improve
www.marvrussell.com

11. Career Development Strategies
read more:
Leveraging Your Culture
to
Own and Manage Your Career
www.marvrussell.com
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12. Career Development Strategies
www.marvrussell.com
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about Marv Russell:
I'm an author; keynote speaker; and OD / HR consultant and
expert on leadership, organizational development, and behavior
and ethics.
I was a football student-athlete at the University of Notre Dame
and member of the 1973 National Championship Team, with an
MPA from Indiana University and currently completing my PhD
in Organizational Development.
I'm the author of two books
• Linebacker in the Boardroom: Lessons in Life and
Leadership, a leadership best seller
• Finding Your Internship: What Employers Want You to
Know
• My new book, Building the Diverse and Inclusive
Organization, is scheduled for fall publication.
Contact Marv:
@Twitter
marv@marvrussell.com
www.marvrussell.com