Here’s a detailed account of my journey through the Cisco selection process for the 2026 Summer Internship:
- Initial Process
Batch and Eligibility: The process was open to the 2026 batch. We received an eligibility form to fill through the placement cell to participate.
Online Assessment (3rd September 2024): This was the first step, consisting of:
Around 40 MCQs based on CS fundamentals and a strong focus on networking concepts, as Cisco is a networking company.
Two coding questions:
DP-based problem (Difficulty: Medium-Hard).
Graph BFS-based problem (Difficulty: Medium-Hard).
- Role Deep Dive Session
Session Date: 9th September 2024, 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM.
Purpose: This session gave insights into the Software Engineer roles at Cisco (Application/Embedded/Networking).
Highlights: Early-in-career employees shared their experience with the Cisco interview process and their roles.
- Post-Assessment Results
After the assessments, we received an update from the placement cell. Unfortunately, most candidates were rejected. Only 6 candidates were selected from my campus for the next round, and I was among them.
- Interview Process
Each interview round was eliminatory and conducted via Webex (Cisco’s platform). Below is the breakdown of my interview rounds:
Round 1 (13th September 2024, 10:00 AM):
Preparation: I was extremely anxious and started preparing early in the morning by revisiting CS fundamentals, networking concepts, and my resume.
Interview Details:
The interviewer joined 5 minutes after the scheduled time and introduced herself.
She was friendly and dived deep into my resume:
Asked detailed questions about my projects.
Questions spanned across CS fundamentals, Networks, and DBMS.
Coding Question:
Problem related to Linked Lists: Deleting and Reversing.
I solved it and clearly explained my approach. The interviewer seemed satisfied.
Final Segment:
She asked if I had any questions. I inquired about the role, location, stipend details, and what a typical day looks like at Cisco.
Outcome:
I was confident that I would proceed to the next round.
After some time, I received the email confirming my selection for Round 2.
Round 2 (Senior Engineer Panel):
Introduction: The interviewer introduced himself. I was initially nervous but gained confidence as the conversation progressed.
Interview Details:
Resume Discussion:
Asked about my favorite project. I picked an easy-to-explain project (Tip: Never mention projects you are not confident about).
Asked technical questions related to my explanation.
Conceptual Questions:
Topics included OOPs, Networks, and DBMS.
Coding Question:
Questions involving strings and modulo operations.
I explained my approach and asked if I should code it. The interviewer was satisfied with my explanation alone.
Puzzle Question:
Aptitude-based puzzle.
I solved it partially but could explain my reasoning.
Behavioral Questions:
Focused on teamwork and challenges.
Outcome:
I felt confident but remained nervous while waiting for the results. Later, I was informed that I was selected for the final round.
Round 3 (HR Round):
Details:
Conducted by a senior HR personnel.
Duration: ~5 minutes.
Questions:
"Where do you see yourself in 5 years?"
"What do you know about Cisco?"
"Tell me about your father’s education."
"What are your thoughts on the offered stipend and location?"
I had prepared answers in advance and confidently responded.
Outcome:
I was overjoyed as I cleared the final round and was the only candidate from my university to make it this far.
- Post-Interview Outcome
I eagerly waited for two weeks for the final offer but received no updates.
Upon reaching out to HR, I was informed that I had not made it through.
Reflections:
This was my first experience with rejection despite performing well.
It was disappointing, but I took it as a learning experience to prepare better for future opportunities.
Key Takeaways:
Preparation Tips:
Focus heavily on CS fundamentals, Networks, and DBMS for companies like Cisco.
Be thorough with your resume and projects.
Always be ready to explain your approach clearly during coding rounds.
Interview Strategy:
Stay calm and composed.
Engage actively with the interviewer and ask thoughtful questions.
Post-Interview:
Understand that rejection is part of the journey. Learn and grow from it.
I hope this experience helps others preparing for Cisco or similar companies. Good luck!