Many people who want to work in technology dream of getting a job as a Software Engineer at Cisco Systems, which is a world leader in networking and technology. There is a long list of possible interview questions in this guide, along with useful advice to help you do well in your interview.
Cisco Systems is a renowned tech giant, shaping the future of networking and communication technologies. As a Software Engineer at Cisco, you’ll play a vital role in developing innovative software solutions that connect people, businesses, and devices worldwide.
Understanding the Role
Before diving into the interview questions, it’s crucial to understand the specific responsibilities of a Software Engineer at Cisco Systems This role involves a wide range of tasks, including
- Designing, developing, and testing software applications
- Collaborating with other engineers and product managers
- Identifying and solving technical challenges
- Staying up-to-date on the latest technologies and trends
- Contributing to the overall success of Cisco’s software products
Common Interview Questions
General Questions
- Tell me about yourself.
- Why are you interested in this position at Cisco Systems?
- What are your strengths and weaknesses?
- Where do you see yourself in five years?
- Why should we hire you?
Experience and Skills
- Describe your experience in software development.
- What programming languages are you proficient in?
- What are your strengths in problem-solving and analytical thinking?
- How do you stay up-to-date on the latest technologies and trends in software development?
- Describe a time when you faced a technical challenge and how you overcame it.
Cisco Systems-Specific Questions:
- What is your understanding of Cisco Systems’ values and mission?
- How do you see your skills and experience contributing to Cisco Systems’ goals?
- Are you familiar with any of Cisco Systems’ current projects or products?
- What are your thoughts on the current state of the networking and technology industry?
- How would you approach developing a new software application for a specific Cisco product?
Behavioral Questions:
- Describe a situation where you had to work effectively with a team to achieve a common goal.
- Tell me about a time when you had to adapt to a challenging situation.
- Give an example of a time when you went above and beyond to help a client or colleague.
- How do you handle conflict or disagreement in the workplace?
- Describe your experience working in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment.
Additional Tips for Success:
- Do your research: Learn as much as you can about Cisco Systems’ business, products, technologies, and current initiatives.
- Practice your answers: Rehearse your responses to common interview questions, focusing on clear and concise communication.
- Prepare questions for the interviewer: Show your genuine interest in the company and the role.
- Dress professionally: Make a positive first impression with appropriate attire.
- Be confident and enthusiastic: Show your passion for software development and your eagerness to contribute to Cisco Systems’ success.
By thoroughly preparing for your interview and showcasing your skills, experience, and passion for technology, you can increase your chances of landing your dream job as a Software Engineer at Cisco Systems. Remember, your interview is an opportunity to demonstrate your technical expertise, problem-solving abilities, and eagerness to learn and grow within a dynamic and innovative company.
Additional Resources:
- Cisco Systems Website: https://www.cisco.com/
- Cisco Systems Careers Page: https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/about/careers.html
- Glassdoor Reviews: https://www.glassdoor.com/Interview/Cisco-Systems-Senior-Software-Engineer-Interview-Questions-EI_IE1425.0,13_KO14,38.htm
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the average salary for a Software Engineer at Cisco Systems?
Salaries for Software Engineers at Cisco Systems vary depending on experience, location, and specific skills. You can find salary ranges for different positions on the Cisco Systems careers page.
What are the benefits of working at Cisco Systems?
Cisco Systems offers a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, life insurance, short-term and long-term disability insurance, paid time off, and a 401(k) retirement savings plan.
What is the work culture like at Cisco Systems?
Cisco Systems has a collaborative and innovative work culture. Employees are encouraged to share ideas, learn from each other, and contribute to the company’s success
How can I learn more about Cisco Systems’ projects and products?
You can learn more about Cisco Systems’ projects and products by visiting their website or attending one of their events.
Cisco Software Engineer Interview Guide
There are three parts to the Cisco Software Engineer interview process: the Recruiter screen, the Technical screen, and the Onsite round.
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The Recruiter screen is a 45-minute telephonic interview with the recruiter. The main goal of this exercise is to see how motivated the candidate is for the job and to see if he or she is a good fit for the company and the job. People who are just out of college should be very careful with their CV and any projects or internships they may have had while they were there. People who have worked before must be able to describe their previous job(s), including any projects they worked on and leadership roles they held.
Most asked interview questions in the Initial Screen.
- What attracts you to software engineering?
- Why have you chosen Cisco?
The technical screen is a one-hour interview with the hiring manager and a senior Cisco software engineer. This round is aimed at assessing your technical skills in the following areas:
Coding Aptitude
It checks the candidate’s general programming skills with questions in the “coding aptitude” part of the technical screen. Interviewers love to ask questions on object-oriented programming. Students should know how to code in at least one of the languages listed below, including C. They should also know how to use script languages like Perl or Python. Over the next two to three hours, you may need to use an online shared code editor to answer one or two coding questions.
Most commonly asked Coding questions in the Technical screen:
- Write a Perl script that will put consecutive copies of list items into sublists.
- Write a Perl script that will make combinations of K different objects picked from a list of N items.
- You need to write code that can take a number N and find its last two digits.
- Make a function that takes a sorted list and turns it into a binary search tree.
- Create a function that can take a list of lists and turn it into a flat list.
System Design
Systems design is an important part of the interview because companies want to see how well candidates can design and build systems that can handle changing needs, the design process, and quality issues (e.g. g. performance, usability, security, etc. ), distributed software development, limited budgets, tight schedules, fast-changing technology etc.
Most commonly asked System Design questions
- How would you design a search engine?
- Can you design a URL Shortening Service?
- How would you improve ebays front end design?
- Make the front end of an app like Uber that lets people share rides.
- What would you do to make a chat service like Facebook Messenger or WhatsApp?
The role of a Cisco Software Engineer
An American multinational technology company called Cisco designs, builds, and sells networking hardware, software, telecommunications equipment, and other high-tech goods and services.
Cisco has different teams for which it hires Software Engineers. Though each software engineer will have different duties depending on the team they work for, these are some of the duties that all software engineers should be ready to take on:
Role and responsibility
- Join a project team of engineers who are working on making protocols for Cisco products. Needs a lot of experience with designing, documenting, and implementing software, and can be used on projects with any of the following lists of duties:
- Work together with other SW and HW engineers to create and maintain protocols.
- Design, and determine product direction.
- Represent your team with other Cisco departments, customers, and industry.
- Author product and project specifications.
- Partner with the Management Team in defining and planning projects.
- Take a lead role in Ciscos Patent Program.
- Apply advanced networking principles, theories and concepts.
Skills/qualifications required
- Get a master’s degree or a bachelor’s degree and work for five years in computer science, electrical engineering, computer engineering, or a related field.
- Ability to solve complex problems involving multiple products.
- Ability to effectively present technical concepts to a wide audience.
- Ability to influence the development of industry-wide standards.
- Being able to use good judgment to figure out the best way to meet an assignment’s technical goals
- Creative problem-solving skills and excellent troubleshooting/debugging skills
- Excellent teamwork and people skills
- Hands on experience with Java programming
- Netconf Yang models had to be used, and REST API and JSON had to be built.
- Experience with Kafka/Cassandra and use of Kubernetes, Docker
- Programming experience (C, C++), script languages (Perl, Python)
- Familiarity with Unix/Linux
- Experience working on embedded systems
- Know the basics of networking and how protocols work, such as TCP/IP, OSPF, BGP, and MPLS.
Cisco Software Engineer salary
- Entry-level salary: USD 110,000
- Senior positions: USD 455,000.
- The median salary is USD 260,000, with an 185,000-dollar base salary, a 50,000-dollar stock value, and a 25,000-dollar bonus.
