Clark - when I do the first coat I only want to get some of the poly into the wood and am not worried about anything else. I wipe it on, wait a little bit, add a little more if it is really absorbing the finish and then I wipe the excess off with an old towel. I have an old lazy-susan that I have on my outfeed table, have a small shelf liner on it and just leave whatever I am finishing on it to dry.
After the first coat dries I then finish it in steps. Hope that helps.