I applied through college or university. The process took 2 days. I interviewed at Cisco in Apr 2010
Interview
Initial communications began at an on-campus job fair, where met with the first interviewer for a preliminary screening and reading of my resume. After 10 mins, he wanted to schedule me for an hour long interview the next morning that consisted of behavioral questions. Almost two months passed before I heard that I was selected for final rounds. For the final round interviews, I was flown to Cary, NC for a full-day interview with five sessions. First, there was a presentation on a topic of my choosing from their limited topics (no powerpoint, but handouts encouraged and a whiteboard was provided). Second, there was a roundtable with people who have gone through the program where we can ask questions about their experience. Third, there was a technical assessment where two individuals questioned me on my technical knowledge. Fourth, the candidates took a tour of a data center testing facility. Lastly, we had a sales simulation to see how you are in front of a client.
I applied online. I interviewed at Cisco (London, England)
Interview
Remote interview. First stage was an online interview, non-technical, to assess culture fit. It was led by a member of HR, about 20-30 minutes. Basically asking the recruiter or the hiring HR person about yourself:
- Why Cisco?
- What products interest you from Cisco?
- Talk about a project or moment you're proud of.
- Times where you faced adversity and then you managed to overcome also to pitch the benefits of a particular Cisco solution, I chose Meraki.
The second stage, you meet the head of sales engineering and then also the head of sales. They asked a bit about your technical background and then they immediately start questioning your technical knowledge. As far as the technical aptitude test prerequisites for coming on the CSAP Sales Engineering Programme, you already have your CCNA qualification. So the interview was essentially a verbalized CCNA test. I was currently still studying it but the enrolment for the programme was more than seven months away and so I was still learning the material and wasn't actually fully prepared for all the technical questions at that point. I didn't do well on that side.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Non Technical interview:
- Why Cisco?
- What products interest you from Cisco?
- Talk about a project or moment you're proud of.
- Times where you faced adversity and then you managed to overcome also to pitch the benefits of a particular Cisco solution, I chose Meraki.
A short 1 on 1 prescreen, followed by multiple rounds of critical thinking and behavioral interviews. The interviewer had a great personality and was very helpful. Seems like a great company so far.
create a video about yourself, interview with program managers, live coding assessment, and then going on to an in-person assessment center that has been conducted remotely do to the pandemic.