Food might not be on your checklist when you are prepping
for an interview. Perhaps the idea of a job interview might even take away your
appetite, but don’t skip good nutrition before the appointment. What you eat
can have a marked effect on your performance. To be at your best, plan to eat
at least an hour before, so that the good-food energy is flowing to your brain.
It doesn’t matter if it’s a morning or afternoon interview,
you can’t neglect the boost in energy and alertness that healthy food will
provide. Don’t just grab a bagel or muffin. Carbs are quick energy, but won’t
give you the staying power you may need. In fact, studies show that two hours
after consumption, eating carbs results in tryptophan levels four times higher
than eating protein. Tryptophan is actually an amino acid that is used in sleep
medications!
What should you eat? Opt for protein. For breakfast, a
spinach and egg white omelet is a good choice.
Proteins have staying power and will ramp up your mental alertness. If
it’s an afternoon interview, salmon or chicken is good, but stay away from
turkey (the tryptophan again!).
Of course, caffeine is one thing that boosts alertness, so if you like
it, have a cup of coffee. Researchers have found coffee enhances short-term
memory performance, and helps improve attention capacity and problem-solving
skills. But don’t overdo. Too much coffee will not only make you a jittery,
nervous wreck; even worse, you may find yourself in the position of needing a
mid-interview bathroom break.
