Cisco Internship 2026
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My Cisco Internship Interview Experience

Here’s a detailed account of my journey through the Cisco selection process for the 2026 Summer Internship:

1. 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:
      1. DP-based problem (Difficulty: Medium-Hard).
      2. Graph BFS-based problem (Difficulty: Medium-Hard).

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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:

  1. 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.
  2. Interview Strategy:
    • Stay calm and composed.
    • Engage actively with the interviewer and ask thoughtful questions.
  3. 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!

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