What is the first thing an applicant must do before successfully meeting the challenge of finding a job?

An applicant must first assess what his/her skills, training and experience to decide what it is that he/she can offer to the job market as well as qualities  including such things as being a very detailed worker, having a strong work ethic, having perseverance for example. Also, and closely related to this is writing up a good resume showing all these things. And of course, it must be decided what aspect of one's experience and training one wants to pursue ie say a civil engineer going in for just civil work or perhaps mining work.