I applied through an employee referral. The process took 6 weeks. I interviewed at Cisco (Herndon, VA) in Jan 2013
Interview
Initial contact was via employee referral. First conducted a phone interview with the SE manager which resulted in pretty standard questions. Whats your background, why does this position interest you and why do you think you would be a good fit. Second round of interviews was a WebEx with two other SE's on the team for the tech eval. On the outset of the call when they asked my strengths and weaknesses I told them stronger in Route/Switch and security, weaker in VOIP and telepresence. Most questions were standard CCNA / CCNP fair. What is Spanning Tree, explain MPLS, what are the different parts of an 802.1x deployment. Then they asked how I would prepare a presentation technical / benefit presentation of a new VOIP deployment. I know one of the VOIP engineers on the team, and I said that I would leverage his experience and knowledge. Nothing was exceedingly difficult or particularly unexpected. I actually enjoyed the tech eval, and had fun chatting with the other SE's on the team. They did an excellent job of making it very informal, and just more of a conversation. Moved on to final round which was a meet and greet with the AM's on the team. This felt more like a getting to know you, and make sure personalities meshed well. The narrowed down to two finalists, a CCIE and myself. They ended up selecting the other candidate. The process was relatively long, but everyone I dealt with was exceptionally friendly and professional. I would definitely consider applying for another position down the road.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
How does a Riverbed Stealhead WAN acceleration opttimize traffic?
The interview process was highly organized and welcoming, with clear communication and respectful interviewers, creating a positive atmosphere that highlighted the company's values and commitment to employee satisfaction and professional growth.
HR was quick to follow up with the next steps, questions were very different by interviewers. Very technical questions with problem solving experience, things you can answer easily if you actually have enough experience
I applied through university. The process took 4 weeks. I interviewed at Cisco (Poland, ME) in Sept 2023
Interview
The interview process typically consists of several stages, depending on the company and role. Here’s a general breakdown:
Application & Screening – The company reviews your application, resume, and cover letter to determine if you meet the basic qualifications.
Phone or Video Interview – An initial conversation (often with HR or a recruiter) to discuss your experience, skills, and interest in the role.
Technical/Skills Assessment (if applicable) – Some positions may require a test or project to assess your technical skills or problem-solving abilities.
First-Round Interview – This is usually with a hiring manager or team member to dive deeper into your background, experience, and suitability for the role.
Final Interview(s) – Often with senior leadership, team members, or a panel to evaluate your fit within the company culture and alignment with company goals.