Q: Start with a coarse square (around 100-grit) and go over the pine using a wide, looping circular motion. This first pass is to wear down the small contours, ridges, and knotholes characteristic of softwoods and leave you with a more even surface to work with.  A sanding block will allow you to apply more consistent pressure than a handheld sheet of sandpaper.  Sanding helps open up the pores in natural wood surfaces, which will allow the stain to set in better. After taking off the rough outer layer, switch to a finer grain (150 to 200-grit) and sand the pine a second time. An additional sanding will ensure that the wood is properly blended and prepared for staining. If you’re working with raw pine boards, don’t forget to go over the cut ends, as well. Wet the sponge, then give it a squeeze to wring out the excess water. Run the damp sponge over the outer surface of the pine from end to end with heavy, sweeping strokes in one direction. This will not only restore the grain, but also pick up loose dust and debris. Wood grain becomes compressed after sanding. A little bit of moisture cause the surface fibers to swell, returning them to their natural position. Spread the sealant over every exposed area of the piece, including the ends, if you’re staining boards. The first coat will soak into the pine instantly. Following the second coat, you should be able to notice the sealant just beginning to pool on the grain.  If you’re staining a larger piece, touch up the sections you conditioned first periodically to keep them wet as you work. Pre-sealing your pine essentially evens out the empty space inside the grain, allowing the stain to stand out boldly on top without simply absorbing too deep into the wood. Use a clean cloth to remove as much of the watery sealant as you can. There should be no wet spots or standing moisture visible when you’re finished. Be sure to thoroughly wipe down every part of the pine that you treated. Too much sealant will fill the pores in the wood, preventing the stain from setting in at all. Find a cool, clean place with low humidity to stash it as it dries. Once the sealant has set up inside the pores, you’ll be able to stain successfully without worrying about saturating the pine and creating a blotchy mess.
A: Sand the wood with a low-grit sandpaper to remove inconsistencies. Use a higher grit sandpaper to smooth the surface. Scrub the wood with a soft sponge to raise the grain. Brush on two coats of wood conditioner. Wipe off the excess conditioner. Leave the wood to dry for 2-3 hours.

Q: Browse through the United Nations website to get a feel for the different types of work available at the UN. Which areas interest you most? Are there areas you are already qualified for? Are there areas you would like to work in but for which you still need qualifications? Conduct research before starting your job search. Look at the following websites for information:  The UN Official website (http://careers.un.org) The UN Channel website (https://unchannel.org) The UN Job List website (http://unjoblist.org) UN careers are divided into different staff categories, each of which require a specific educational background and area of expertise. The categories are further broken down into jobs at different levels that require varying amounts of work experience. Taking into account your skills, interest and experience, decide which category and level is appropriate for you. Here are the options:  Professional and higher categories (P and D) General Service and related categories (G, TC, S, PIA, LT) National Professional Officers (NO) Field Service (FS) Senior Appointments (SG, DSG, USG and ASG) Each career option has specific education and experience requirements. Before you apply for a job, make sure you have all the prerequisites. If you don't, your application won't be considered. Here are common requirements for many positions at the UN:  Fluency in English or French, the working languages of the organization. Fluency in additional languages, particularly Arabic, Chinese, Spanish, or Russian, is helpful for most positions. A bachelor's degree or higher. Some lower-level generalist positions (mostly clerical or secretarial jobs in the General Service category) require only a high school diploma and, usually, relevant work experience, but most positions in the UN require at least a bachelor’s degree. Many specialist positions require advanced degrees in the area of specialty. Work experience in a related field. Depending on the position for which you are applying, you might need anywhere from 1 - 7 years of work experience.
A:
Research career options at the UN. Decide what staff category you want to pursue. Make sure you have the required education and experience.