HOW DO I USE THE 'WHAT I'M LOOKING FOR' FIELD?

The "What I'm looking for" field is where you declare your needs to the Pickeenoo community. It tells others what kind of help, connections, or opportunities you're seeking.

1. What is "What I'm looking for"?

Understanding this profile field:

PURPOSE
• Declare what you need help with
• Tell the community what you're seeking
• Attract people who can assist you in specific areas
• Create targeted connection opportunities

HOW IT WORKS
• You select categories of help you need
• People who marked "I can help with" in matching categories see you in their searches
• The matching algorithm connects seekers with helpers
• Creates mutually beneficial connections

SEARCH VISIBILITY
• Searchable by other members
• People looking to help in specific areas find you
• More categories = more ways helpers discover you

Think of it as your "wish list" of support and connections.

2. The 10 help categories you can select

Same categories as "I can help with":

1. VISA AND PERMITS
You need help understanding visa applications, extensions, work permits, residence permits, immigration procedures

2. HOUSING AND ACCOMMODATION
You're searching for apartments, houses, roommates, neighborhood advice, landlord recommendations, real estate guidance

3. EDUCATION AND SCHOOLING
You need information about schools, universities, enrollment procedures, course recommendations, tutoring, education system

4. WORK AND JOB OPPORTUNITIES
You're job hunting, seeking career advice, looking for professional networking, freelance opportunities, hiring information

5. HEALTH AND MEDICAL ADVICE
You need doctor recommendations, hospital information, health insurance guidance, pharmacy locations, medical procedure advice

6. OUTINGS AND SOCIAL EVENTS
You want to meet people, join activities, attend events, find social groups, make friends, participate in community

7. DEALS AND SHOPPING TIPS
You want to know where to buy things affordably, best markets, discount places, shopping recommendations, local deals

8. LIFESTYLE AND LOCAL CULTURE
You're learning local customs, traditions, language, etiquette, seeking cultural integration, understanding local life

9. ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES
You need help navigating bureaucracy, government offices, banks, utilities, paperwork, official processes, systems

10. NETWORKING AND BUSINESS CONTACTS
You want professional connections, business introductions, partnership opportunities, industry contacts, collaboration

Select all categories where you genuinely need assistance.

3. How to fill out "What I'm looking for"

Step-by-step:

STEP 1 – Log in and go to your profile editor

STEP 2 – Find "What I'm looking for" section (usually under Community Profile)

STEP 3 – You'll see checkboxes or list of the 10 categories

STEP 4 – Select ALL areas where you need help or connections

STEP 5 – Be honest about your needs – this attracts genuine help

STEP 6 – Minimum recommended: 2-3 categories

STEP 7 – Maximum: All 10 if you're brand new and need comprehensive help

STEP 8 – Save your changes

Your selections immediately affect who finds you and reaches out.

4. How many categories should you select?

Finding the right balance:

NONE (0 categories)
• Signals you don't need help (fine if you're well-established)
• But you miss connection opportunities
• Appears self-sufficient (can be good or bad depending on goals)

FEW (1-2 categories)
• Focused needs
• Attracts targeted help
• Good if you only need specific assistance

RECOMMENDED (2-5 categories)
• Shows realistic needs for new expats or those in transition
• Multiple ways for helpers to find and assist you
• Balanced profile

MANY (6-10 categories)
• Signals you're brand new or in urgent need
• Attracts comprehensive help
• Good for first few months, then narrow down as you settle

Most new expats select 3-5 categories; established members select 1-3 or none.

5. Examples by situation

Different needs for different people:

NEW EXPAT (just arrived)
Select: Housing, Visa and Permits, Administrative, Outings, Deals
Result: Comprehensive help settling in, meeting people, navigating systems

JOB SEEKER
Select: Work and Jobs, Networking, Housing (if relocating)
Result: Job leads, professional connections, career advice

DIGITAL NOMAD
Select: Housing (short-term), Outings, Deals, Coworking (if available)
Result: Accommodation tips, social life, work-friendly spaces

FAMILY WITH KIDS
Select: Education, Housing, Health, Outings (family-friendly)
Result: School recommendations, family housing, pediatrician info, kid-friendly activities

RETIREE
Select: Housing, Health, Lifestyle, Administrative
Result: Retirement-friendly housing, healthcare info, cultural integration, navigating local systems

ENTREPRENEUR
Select: Networking, Work, Administrative (business registration)
Result: Business contacts, legal/tax advice, entrepreneurial community

STUDENT
Select: Education, Housing, Outings, Deals (budget-conscious)
Result: Study advice, student housing, social groups, affordable living tips

6. How matching works with "I can help with"

The connection algorithm:

YOUR SELECTION: "What I'm looking for: Visa and Permits, Housing"

MATCHING PROCESS:
• System finds members who selected "I can help with: Visa and Permits" or "Housing"
• They see you in their helper searches: "People who need visa help"
• They're more likely to reach out and offer assistance
• You appear higher in their search results

EXAMPLE:
• You (new expat): Looking for Housing, Visa help
• Experienced expat: Can help with Housing, Visa
• Algorithm matches you → They contact you offering guidance
• Mutually beneficial connection formed

This creates natural, valuable connections based on complementary needs.

7. Being specific in your bio

Enhance "What I'm looking for" with details:

GENERIC BIO:
"New to Bangkok, looking for help."

BETTER BIO:
"Just moved to Bangkok for work. Looking for apartment in Sukhumvit area (budget 15-20k baht), and need help extending Non-B visa. Also want to meet other professionals for networking."

EVEN BETTER:
"American expat, arrived Bangkok 2 weeks ago. Searching for 1-bedroom condo in Sukhumvit (near BTS), max 20k/month. Need to extend Non-B visa in March – would love advice from someone who's done it recently. Work in tech, looking for coworking spaces and professional networking events. Also keen to explore Thai cooking classes and weekend markets."

Specificity helps the right people offer relevant help.

8. Updating as your needs change

Keep it current:

STARTING OUT (First 1-3 months)
• Select 5-7 categories (you need lots of help)
• Housing, Visa, Administrative, Outings, Deals, Lifestyle, Health

SETTLING IN (Months 3-6)
• Reduce to 2-3 categories (found housing, understand basics)
• Maybe keep: Outings, Networking, specific ongoing needs

ESTABLISHED (6+ months)
• Select 1-2 or none (you're settled)
• Maybe keep: Networking, specific professional needs
• Or shift focus to "I can help" instead

MOVING AGAIN / MAJOR CHANGE
• Add categories back when circumstances change
• New job → Work and Networking
• Having baby → Health, Education (future)

Review and update every 2-3 months.

9. Attracting the right help

Strategy for effective help requests:

BE SPECIFIC IN BIO
• Don't just select "Housing" – specify what kind (apartment, house, area, budget)
• Don't just select "Jobs" – specify your industry, skills, job type

BE REALISTIC
• Don't expect free professional services (legal, medical consulting)
• People offer friendly advice and guidance, not comprehensive professional work
• Be grateful for tips and directions, not demanding of time

BE RESPONSIVE
• When someone offers help, reply promptly and politely
• Thank people who assist you
• Consider offering help back in areas you know

BE OPEN TO CONNECTIONS
• Accept connection requests from people offering help
• Meet for coffee to learn about your new location
• Build relationships beyond just extracting information

Help is a two-way street – be a good community member.

10. Privacy and visibility

Understanding who sees your needs:

PUBLIC INFORMATION
• "What I'm looking for" is visible on your public profile
• Searchable by other members
• Appears in search results when people filter by help needed

WHY PUBLIC
• Can't receive help if needs are hidden
• Helpers search for people they can assist
• Community building depends on transparent needs and offers

IF CONCERNED ABOUT PRIVACY
• Be general rather than overly specific in the field itself
• Add details in your bio or private messages
• Don't share sensitive personal information publicly

Most needs are innocuous (housing, jobs, social events) and safe to share.

11. What if you don't need help?

Established members:

SELECT NOTHING
• If you're well-established and don't need assistance, it's fine to leave blank
• Focus on "I can help with" instead
• Shows you're a giver rather than taker

SELECT MINIMAL
• Maybe just "Networking" or "Outings" (always relevant)
• Keeps you open to connections without signaling neediness

SHIFT TO HELPER MODE
• As you settle in, transition from seeker to helper
• Update "I can help with" field as you gain local knowledge
• Pay forward the help you received

The lifecycle: New arrivals need help → Settle in → Help new arrivals

12. Professional uses

Leveraging this field strategically:

JOB SEEKERS
• Select "Work and Jobs"
• Elaborate in bio: "UX Designer with 5 years experience seeking opportunities in Bangkok tech scene"
• Attracts recruiters, hiring managers, professional networkers

ENTREPRENEURS
• Select "Networking and Business"
• Bio: "Launching e-commerce startup, looking for investors, tech partners, and business mentors"
• Attracts business community

SERVICE SEEKERS
• Select relevant category: "Health" if seeking wellness services
• Bio: "Looking for English-speaking physiotherapist and yoga studios in Chiang Mai"
• Attracts service providers

SOCIAL SEEKERS
• Select "Outings and Events"
• Bio: "New to city, love hiking and photography, looking for weekend adventure groups"
• Attracts social organizers and like-minded people

13. Common mistakes to avoid

Don't make these errors:

MISTAKE 1: Being too vague
CONSEQUENCE: Generic help offers that don't match your specific needs

MISTAKE 2: Selecting everything just to increase visibility
CONSEQUENCE: Appears desperate or unfocused, attracts irrelevant connections

MISTAKE 3: Never updating as you settle in
CONSEQUENCE: Still receiving newbie help 2 years later, appears out of touch

MISTAKE 4: Being demanding in your needs
CONSEQUENCE: Turns off potential helpers, seems entitled

MISTAKE 5: Not responding when people offer help
CONSEQUENCE: Reputation damage, people stop offering assistance

MISTAKE 6: Leaving blank when you genuinely need help
CONSEQUENCE: Miss valuable connections and assistance

MISTAKE 7: Selecting categories just to appear needy (manipulation)
CONSEQUENCE: Waste helpers' time, build bad reputation

Be genuine, specific, and responsive.

14. Examples of effective "What I'm looking for" profiles

Success patterns:

EXAMPLE 1 – New Professional Expat
Selected: Housing, Outings, Networking
Bio: "Tech consultant relocated to Singapore for 2-year project. Seeking 1-bed apartment near MRT, budget SGD 2500-3000. Want to join business networking groups and find tennis partners."
Result: Found apartment through connection, joined expat professional group, now plays weekly tennis

EXAMPLE 2 – Job Hunting Expat
Selected: Work and Jobs, Networking, Outings
Bio: "Marketing manager, 8 years experience, English/French fluent. Looking for opportunities in Dubai marketing agencies. Also seeking professional networking events and social groups."
Result: Got 3 job interviews through Pickeenoo connections, hired within 2 months

EXAMPLE 3 – Expat Family
Selected: Education, Housing, Health, Outings
Bio: "Canadian family with 2 kids (ages 6, 9) moving to Barcelona. Need international school recommendations, family-friendly neighborhood (3-bed), pediatrician, and kid-friendly activities."
Result: Comprehensive help from other expat families, smooth transition

EXAMPLE 4 – Budget Traveler/Nomad
Selected: Housing (short-term), Deals, Outings, Lifestyle
Bio: "Backpacker staying in Bali 3 months. Looking for affordable room (under $300/month), best local food spots, social events, and tips on getting around cheaply."
Result: Found great deal on homestay, built backpacker friend group

EXAMPLE 5 – Retiree
Selected: Housing, Health, Administrative, Lifestyle
Bio: "British retiree planning permanent move to Thailand (Hua Hin area). Need retirement visa advice, healthcare recommendations, housing for retirees, and expat community info."
Result: Connected with established retiree community, guided through entire process

15. Combining "What I'm looking for" with "I can help with"

Balanced profile:

GIVING AND RECEIVING
• Even if you need help, you likely have expertise to offer
• New to a city but experienced professional? "Looking for: Housing, Outings" + "Can help with: Networking (your industry)"
• Creates reciprocal relationships, not one-sided

EXAMPLES:
• "Looking for: Visa help, Housing" + "Can help with: Language lessons (English teacher)"
• "Looking for: Jobs" + "Can help with: Tech advice (IT professional)"
• "Looking for: Social events" + "Can help with: Fitness (yoga instructor)"

Best profiles balance needs with value offered.

IMPORTANT: "What I'm looking for" tells the community what help you need, attracting members who marked "I can help with" in matching categories. Select 2-5 categories where you genuinely need assistance (visa, housing, jobs, social, etc.). Be specific in your bio about your exact needs (apartment type, budget, location, timeline). Update this field every 2-3 months as you settle in – new arrivals might select 5-7 categories, established expats might select 1-2 or none. The field is public and searchable by design, allowing helpers to find and assist you.

BEST PRACTICE: Select 2-5 categories where you genuinely need help right now. Elaborate in your bio with specific details (budget, timeline, preferences). Respond promptly and gratefully when people offer assistance. Update your selections every 2-3 months as your needs change – reduce categories as you settle in, transitioning from seeker to helper. Balance "What I'm looking for" with "I can help with" to create reciprocal rather than one-sided connections. After 6+ months, consider focusing more on helping others than seeking help yourself.

NEED HELP? If you're unsure which categories to select, how to phrase your specific needs in your bio, or want advice on attracting the right kind of help for your situation, contact team@pickeenoo.com. We can review your profile and suggest improvements to increase relevant, helpful connections.

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