A lot depends on the snow and what you're trying to do. Just keep moving snow around. The spork action on the shaper tools is a god send for getting things even. If you throw a little more snow on a takeoff than you need, you can just push the rake through it in short strokes. Sometimes going diagonal is helpful if you're trying to move snow around a take off.
If you're raking and the rakes jumping, try back raking instead of pulling lines. It really all depends on the snow. Some times lifting up a bit as you pull the rake back so it just skims the snow is helpful. If you're dealing with death cookies it's pretty hard to get lines in it until it's set. Best to back rake, or just leave it for a cold night to set.
Just make sure the rake isn't jumping and creating bumps. If there are already bumps spork it out or rake at 45s to even them out. Sometimes when you're packing snow in bomb holes packing it at a slight angle is good at the end so when you back rake it your rake isn't hopping on the bumps.
Pretty much just keep doing it. Move snow around, try different things. Try and keep things level, get your takeoffs back nice and square, keep the sides level, etc. The more you move snow with it the better you'll be with it. When I switch between jobs sometimes and use different rakes it takes me a bit to figure out the way to get the best product with that rake. It's generally all similar, but sometimes the small differences can be noticeable.
Ask the guy you're working with for some tips if he's doing well. Good luck!
