My Information:
- Status: Hey, however reads this in future, I am writing this as a Final-year undergraduate student, seeking internship/entry-level opportunities in networking and core computer science fields.
- Relevant Experience: 0 years of full-time professional experience; academic/project-based experience in Networking, Ai/ML, Operating Systems, DBMS, Python, IoT and related CSE subjects.
- Target Position: Cisco (Internship + FTE) Consulting Engineer / entry-level technical role with a focus on Networking, Cyber Security and Core Computer Science.
- Eligibility - 6 CGPA and No Backlog.
- Process Mode: Online.
- OA date - 30 June, 2026.
- Interview Date: 29 July, 2026.
Pre-interview Selection Process:
The Cisco Networking / CCNA course is probably the most important thing to take seriously if you're aiming for the Cisco selection process. It gives you a really good base in networking, and that helps a lot because networking comes up again and again (Of-course, as you are appearing for the recruitment drive of a networking based company) in the OA as well as the interview rounds.
More positives, The course along with your training will not only help you in the Cisco recruitment drive, but also for any future company. It's one of the most premium course out there.
Online Assessment (Eliminating Round) :
So, once you register for the Cisco course and complete all the modules and submodules, you'll get the opportunity to appear for the Cisco Online Assessment (OA). The OA is basically your first major hurdle because it's an elimination round. So don't take it lightly. And prepare for it like any competitive exam.
Preparation Before the OA :
You should focus on:
1) CCNA concepts (Moderate to Difficult).
2) Basic AI/ML (Easy Level).
3) Core CSE fundamentals (Moderate).
4) One medium-level coding problem.
The OA is generally networking-heavy, with approximately 60–70% of the questions focused on networking, while the remaining questions cover AI/ML, core CSE concepts, and coding.
Time - 60 minutes, 61 questions.
Note - Cisco has a very dynamic template. It usually changes it's OA pattern every year, So high chances are there that this pattern may be changed, During your time.
After OA Results should be published within 10-12 days, along with the Problem statements for the next round. Obviously the days are a variable figure, but an average one.
Results published on 6 July, 2026.
PPT Submission round (Non Eliminating Round) :
After clearing the OA, you move on to the PPT submission round. Cisco gives you three real world based problem statements, and you have to choose one of them and come up with a solution.
The important thing here is that it's not just about having a good technical solution. You also need to think about how you present that solution and how clearly you can explain it to someone else. You have to prepare a proper PPT explaining the problem, your proposed solution, how it works, its advantages, and other relevant details, and then submit it.
Goodies to have - One Slide regarding Why you choose that problem statement. Who will be benefited. What Cisco Products you have used into your solution. Cisco Logo at every slide. And finally originality. Complexity doesn't bet authenticity.
This round is generally non-eliminating, but don't take it casually. The PPT becomes important later because, in the Technical Round, you'll be asked to defend the solution you submitted. So whatever you put in your PPT, make sure you actually understand it well, you can expect heavy cross questions on your approach, implementation, technologies, limitations, and why you chose that particular solution.
Idea Submission Deadline - 12 July, 2026.
Resume Submission and Registration :
Cisco has a unique resume format, which I liked the most. They will give you a format, which will not have any personal details, like, College Name, Your Name, CGPA etc. etc. So you will be solely judged on your skills, and no background noise will effect your chances. They call it inclusive resume, and I loved it. You have to create it and submit accordingly.
Resume Submission deadline - 19 July, 2026.
Overview of Interview Process:
After the idea submission round, You will receive a mail regarding your Interview dates. Probably in a variable length of 15-16 days time span, you will have your Interview.
Day before Interview, you will receive a mail regarding joining the webex space room. You have to change your name to the Candidate Code. Which will be provided to you after you qualify the OA. Probably on the morning you will join. And names would be called in the chat space by the moderators. You will be provided with a link, where your interviewer will be waiting for you to join the room.
The First Round is the Technical Round.
Technical Round (Eliminating Round):
My overview - Cisco has the best interviewing panels out there. The seniors, managers, and ETR sir/madams are very co-operative. It feels like a prolonged formal discussion, rather than any high pressure test.
You will be welcomed, and sir/madam will make you feel comfortable in the first minute. Then exchange of introductions. The Technical Round usually lasts around 1 hour 20 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes, and this is probably one of the most important round of the entire process. The main focus is on networking, along with your submitted PPT, (These two will constitute about 50-60% of your technical interview time.), resume, projects, coding(for this role it depends on the interviewer, is in the syllabus, may be asked, may not be asked. You may be asked, while your friends wont, and vice-versa. So its better to consider this compulsory.), and other core Computer Science concepts (OS, DBMS, OOP), and some basic hardware questions may be asked, like transistors, chips etc. Networking is given a lot of importance, so you should be very comfortable with your CCNA concepts and basic as well as advanced Computer Networks topics.
The round generally starts with the PPT defense, where you'll be asked to explain and defend the solution you submitted in the previous round. So whatever you have written in your PPT, make sure you actually understand it because they can go into quite a lot of detail. Then continues with projects and questions from above topic mentioned.
Note - Some topics may be deep dived. It's absolutely fine not to know everything as a fresher. They understands that.
Goodies - Don't be too rigid while answering. Keep a smiling face. Don't pretend to know anything, if you actually don't, they are experienced persons, you cant bypass by trickery. Say a polite no if you can't answer any question. If any interviewer says you to rate yourself on specific topic or subject, like coding, don't rate yourself too high. Be humble, say according to your confidence. Rating high, but fumbling to answer the question of similar difficulty, will cause a bad impression. So self awareness is necessary.
After that, they can move towards your resume and projects. Be prepared for resume-based questions and, more importantly, detailed grilling on your projects. Don't just know what your project does at a high level—you should know the architecture, technologies, implementation, your individual contribution, challenges, limitations, and basically every important detail about it.
Live Coding Questions (Notepad/Online compiler. Screen shared):
Question 1 (Easy but interviewer expect you to solve by Binary search, Optimal)
Question 2 (Easy, Linked List)
I rated myself 2.5/5, but solved both the questions without any error statement, at one shot only. Maybe I could rate myself 3. Lol.
Goodies 2.0 - When sir/madam will ask you any questions? Never say no. Ask relevant questions, not cliche one. Ask something that you genuinely want to know regarding the company. You can ask two questions. They will be happy to answer.
Managerial Round (Eliminating Round):
You will be communicated via the same webex room chat space and the moderators that you have to join the Managerial round. It took 30 mins to 45 mins In our case. And it's Highly variable, but most likely on the same day. They will release the name of candidates who will not make through the round. If your name is not there, stay tuned.
Duration around 1 Hour 10-20 minutes. The managerial round would be more like techno managerial. Technical questions 45-55% and scenario based managerial questions. Which you have to deal with a positive mindset, and confidence. There may be some puzzles. I was asked one.
I literally had no idea about what was that. Sir posted the question into the chat box and told me to take time and think about the solution and propose one. I panicked but kept calm. I asked about various bottlenecks and constraints, sir very enthusiastically responded. Finally i asked, Can we take any break in between? Sir was slight shocked! But he said, yes if you wish you can. Then I proposed my solution, to break the journey at different breaks, and complete it. I explained to him my thinking process and approach. Though i couldn't come up with the actual numeric answer. But sir was impressed. He said that, he liked that I came up with a new solution, and no specific solution exists to this problem. (But actually a solution exists, comparatively complex in mathematics, to invent in such a pressure situation), But my approach was absolutely correct, probably he wanted to test the logical thinking and presence of mind. But to me my managerial Round went very good. It ended well too.
Goodies - Don't Panick. Answer the situation based question, thinking and keeping the company as your priority ahead of your personal benefits or choices. Your answer should align with company policies. For Customer related questions, Customers holds the utmost priority.
Again two questions asked from my side, which Sir answered very beautifully.
ETR Round (Eliminating Round):
Again an hour or more wait will proceed you toward the ETR round. In our case it also happened in the same day. But for some other roles, it happened in the next day. That will be communicated.
Duration around 30 minutes. Don't take this round lightly. Here the interviewer will know each details about you. Ooh, in the previous rounds the interviewers, will know nothing about you, just your resume, in the inclusive format.
It will start by introduction as usual. Then generic HR questions like,
- Why would you choose a network based company?
- Who are our competitors?
- Who is the CEO of Cisco.
- What do you know about your role?
- Are you okay with non Indian standard time shifts? Relocation?
- What are your plans in 5 years upfront.
Goodies - This is one of the most vital round, a slight mistake could cost you the job. Make sure you make them feel that you will be the best fit. You are collaborative. Don't disagree with sir/madam regarding shifts and relocation, as they expect their employees to serve the company in need. Don't give any slightest hint about you not sure about taking the job, as it's eliminating round, and others are also equally qualified, so your chances may slip away. Avoid mentioning about higher studies, arguing about anything, asking about salary, denying relocation or shift flexibility. They expect you to be a flexible employee. Show enthusiasm throughout this interview, that you are excited and committed to this role.
The interview will end by the stipend and salary breakdown. Many ETR sir/madam may skip this. But that's not any issue. Ask questions at the end. two questions is encouraged. And I repeat the questions should be genuine.
They call the interview day as Cisco Day - 29 July, 2026. All the interviews were on the same day, in our case.
Here are few of the Asked Questions (My interview questions + Some I collected from my friends also):
1) What is happening into webex and it's related fields during this interview in the backend network?
2) Difference between Router and Layer 3 switch.
3) What is VLAN.
4) I need to transfer traffic of different VLANs from the same Gateway. What should I do?
5) What are Proxy servers. Which type of proxy server can be used to protect the server of your company?
6) What is Firewall?
7) Difference between Traceroute and Ping.
8) What is HTTPS?
9) How security is provided by HTTPS?
10) Difference Between Get and Post.
11) What is Silly Window Syndrome, and Nagle's Algorithm.
12) What is the function of Preamble in Frame Sequence.
13) Transactions, risks and ACID properties.
14) Difference between Catch and Finally.
15) What are Dunder functions.
16) Function of Self.
17) Four pillars of OOP.
18) What are the major reason for evolution of chips.
19) Basic Linux Commands.
20) What is virtual memory, paging, page replacement algorithm.
21) Difference between SQL and NoSQL, DBMS and RDBMS.
22) One client said, in their school, the students can communicate among themselves, and the teachers can communicate among themselves, but teachers can't send questions to the student's lab pc. Also the students can't communicate with the teachers lab pc. As a network specialist what would you do?
And finally the results should come within 12-15 days after the interview. Again days remain variable.
Final Goodie - Be Confident.
Best Of Luck to whomever it may concern.
My Selection Verdict:
Yes! On 07/08/2026 I made it through. Results were published and I was selected.
