Scale Engineer

Grade 6

Software EngineerSoftware Engineer 2Medium to Hard

This interview process is for a Software Engineer, Grade 6, at Cisco, focusing on assessing technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit for a Software Engineer 2 level position.

Rounds·3

Timeline·~14d

Experience·2 - 5 yrs

Comp band·US$110000 - US$140000

Interview time·150 min

Evaluation

What they measure.

  • Technical Proficiency: Demonstrated understanding of computer science fundamentals, programming languages, and software development best practices.
  • Problem-Solving Skills: Ability to analyze complex problems, devise effective solutions, and articulate the reasoning behind them.
  • System Design: Capacity to design scalable, reliable, and maintainable software systems.
  • Collaboration and Teamwork: Ability to work effectively with others, communicate ideas clearly, and contribute positively to a team environment.
  • Cultural Fit: Alignment with Cisco's values, including innovation, customer focus, and integrity.

Preparation

How to prepare.

Tips

  1. Review fundamental computer science concepts: data structures, algorithms, operating systems, and networking.
  2. Practice coding problems on platforms like LeetCode, HackerRank, or Coderbyte, focusing on medium to hard difficulty.
  3. Study system design principles and common architectural patterns.
  4. Prepare for behavioral questions using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result).
  5. Research Cisco's products, services, and company culture.
  6. Understand the specific technologies and programming languages mentioned in the job description.
  7. Prepare thoughtful questions to ask the interviewer.

Study plan

Fig · Study plan — 04 phases

01 / 04
01

Phase 01 of 04

Data Structures and Algorithms

Weeks 1-2: Data Structures & Algorithms fundamentals. Practice coding.

Weeks 1-2: Focus on core data structures (arrays, linked lists, trees, graphs, hash maps) and algorithms (sorting, searching, dynamic programming, graph traversal). Practice implementing these in your preferred language and analyze their time and space complexity.

Questions

Commonly asked.

  • Describe a complex technical problem you solved.
  • How do you approach debugging a large codebase?
  • Design a URL shortening service.
  • Explain the difference between a process and a thread.
  • Tell me about a time you disagreed with a team member and how you resolved it.
  • What are your thoughts on code reviews?
  • How would you optimize a slow database query?
  • Describe your experience with version control systems like Git.
  • What is polymorphism?
  • How do you stay updated with new technologies?

Locations

Regional differences.

Fig · Regions — 02 locations

01 / 02

Location

Global

Interview focus

Adaptability to different work environments.Communication style in a global team.Understanding of local market trends and technologies.

Common questions

  • Tell me about a challenging project you worked on.
  • How do you handle conflicting priorities?
  • Describe a time you had to learn a new technology quickly.
  • What are your strengths and weaknesses as a software engineer?
  • Why Cisco?

Tips

  • Research Cisco's presence and projects in your specific region.
  • Be prepared to discuss how your skills align with local industry needs.
  • Highlight any experience working with diverse or international teams.

Rounds

Round-by-round.

Expand a step for evaluation criteria, sample questions, and prep notes.

DSA

Coding questions at Cisco.

Frequently reported on Cisco loops

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Other guides

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