One of the things I've learned while working for my current employer is to always be ready and willing to learn. Always ask questions. Always do research. Some bosses and coworkers are happy to explain something to you, if you show an eagerness to learn new things. This helps you get a better understanding of your job, and can help you perform better. And the better your performance, the better your chances at getting a raise!

It's not just whatever subject material you're dealing with (for example, I deal with land acquisition for roadway projects, so I've learned a good bit about eminent domain, right-of-way, real estate, and other related subjects), but what tools you're working with. Many times you'll have to use certain tools, and not just office equipment or manual labor tools; many of us will have to use software, and I can guarantee you, that software is capable of doing more than you can fathom. In some cases, you're performing a task the long way, and there may be a shortcut in performing the task, achieving the same results in a fraction of the time.

Over the years, I've learned more about Excel and Word than I'd ever learned in school or elsewhere. I've learned how to replace a single word or phrase across multiple Word files all at the same time (works only in the body, not the headers and footers). I've learned how to use formulas I've never seen before, as well as automatically color-code certain rows in Excel. I've not only learned mail merge, but word merge, which inserts certain words or phrases depending on criteria in a mail merge data file.

So, in short, always be willing to learn new things.