When it comes to geting a promotion or landing a job, the ‘best’ people don't get hired or promoted—the ones who know how to get hired and promoted invariably win out. It's not about flattery—it's more about being a team player and fitting in with your boss' overall plans. If you want to make a great impression, here are 20 ways to show that you are a dream employee:

1. Know the mission. Align yourself with your boss's and company's goals and values and make them your own. Make your boss's priorities your priorities. If you can assist him in getting where he wants to be, there's always a good chance he'll take you with him.

2. Understand how you'll be evaluated. Know precisely which skills, behaviors and accomplishments are valued, judged and recognized and focus on them like a laser beam.

3. Be dependable. Do what you say you are going to do. It is always smarter to ‘under promise’ and then ‘over deliver.’ Make your boss know you are there for him. Show up on time. Let your boss know he can count on you. If you want a helping hand, you'll find it at the end of your own arm.

4. Project positive energy. Don't be the employee who whines or criticizes. Smile. Be a motivator. Be the person everyone wants to be around.

5. Make your boss look good. Finish your work on time and with a high level of professionalism. Bring your boss ideas that will help him and the department. Offer to take charge and implement them. Stand in for your boss when he isn’t available and make mention of the fact that, “Mr. Jones is so sorry he couldn't be with you today and asked me to carry this message to you.”

6. Own up. Take responsibility for your mistakes by focusing on what you’ve learned rather than what you've done wrong. For example, “I think this project could have been completed in a time sensitive manner had I met with the buyers first to assess what they originally had in mind.”

7. Be organized. Plan your next day before you leave work today. Plan your work— then work your plan. Organize your next day by ranking your tasks and duties by urgency and importance and make a point of doing at least the top two items on your list.

8. Be punctual. Arriving for work or meetings on time (even early) demonstrates you are enthusiastic, dependable and able to manage your time effectively. It is better (and smarter) to be an hour early than one minute late.

9. Be resourceful. Try not to run to your boss with every question you have or setback you encounter. Think things through first. What would your boss do to resolve the situation? If you must report a problem to the boss, have some possible solutions to present that shows you have thought the problem through.

10. Broaden your horizons. Take advantage of company-sponsored training courses and volunteer for projects in areas outside your everyday expertise. Show that you can take your blinders off and “see the bigger picture.”

11. Stay Informed. Keep abreast of industry and company trends by reading trade journals and attending professional association events. Show that you don't do what you do as a hobby—that it is your passion.

12. Be trendy. Stay current with technological, legal and knowledgeable advances in your area. Upgrade your skills and learn new ones.

13. Be courteous. Show respect and loyalty to your boss and speak well of him to others. (At the very least, don't badmouth your boss to anyone.) Keep any bad feelings or disagreements to yourself.

14. Be flexible. Change is inevitable. Companies need people who can adapt and go with the flow.

15. Take care of your health. When you are run down, productivity and ambition suffer—as does your image. You never want to be in a position where you are too sick to continue and have to take a lot of time off. You never know if the person called in to do your job when you aren't there will be your replacement.

16. Leave your personal life at the door. Do not make your problems your co-workers or boss' problems. You do not want to be perceived as problematic, anxious, desperate and needy.

17. Go beyond the call of duty. Take on added challenges, put in extra hours if appropriate—and never use the phrase: “That is not in my job description.”

18. Be a team player. Show your boss and co-workers that you have their best interests at heart by being empathetic and offering to help out when they need it.

19. Take a break now and then. You don't want to be like the Energizer Bunny who keeps going and going. A clear head and balanced life can give you energy and perspective.

20. Look and act promotable. Don't ever give the impression that you work because you have to. Look and act the part of being your company's best asset. Make your boss proud of the fact that he hired you in the first place.

Written by: Barry Cohen