Cisco is the networking company, and its interviews lean heavily on computer networks fundamentals alongside standard coding — especially for network and systems roles. Strong networking knowledge is a real differentiator here in a way it isn't at most companies. Here's the breakdown.
The Cisco interview process
- Online assessment (for campus) — aptitude, coding, and technical MCQs.
- Technical rounds — DSA, networking, OS, and your project.
- Behavioral / HR round — fit and communication.
Cisco technical questions
- Data structures and algorithms — arrays, linked lists, trees, graphs.
- Computer networks — OSI model, TCP vs UDP, DNS, routing (our networks guide).
- Operating systems — processes, threads, memory (our OS guide).
- OOP and your project.
Cisco system design & behavioral
For experienced roles, expect a design round (often network- or systems-flavored) and behavioral questions on collaboration, a hard problem you solved, and conflict. Answer in STAR.
How to prepare
Networking rounds are entirely verbal — you explain protocols and flows. Practise narrating them out loud, especially "what happens when you type a URL". Greenroom runs spoken technical interviews that follow up on your reasoning. Pair it with our networks and OS guides.
Frequently asked questions
What does Cisco focus on in interviews?
Cisco leans heavily on computer networks fundamentals — the OSI model, TCP vs UDP, DNS, routing and switching — alongside standard data structures and algorithms, especially for network and systems roles. Strong, clearly explained networking knowledge is a genuine differentiator at Cisco that it isn't at most product companies.
What is the Cisco interview process?
Cisco's process typically includes an online assessment for campus hiring (aptitude, coding and technical MCQs), technical rounds covering data structures, computer networks, operating systems and your project, and a behavioral or HR round on fit and communication. Experienced roles add a system design round, often network-flavored.
What coding questions does Cisco ask?
Cisco asks standard data-structure and algorithm questions (arrays, linked lists, trees, graphs) along with OOP and a project deep dive, but pairs them with substantial computer networks and operating systems questions. The networking and systems depth is what sets Cisco's technical rounds apart.
How should I prepare for a Cisco interview?
Prepare data structures and OOP, but prioritize computer networks and operating systems since those differentiate you at Cisco. Practise explaining protocols and flows out loud — especially the 'what happens when you type a URL' walkthrough — ideally with a voice-based mock interview that follows up, because networking rounds are entirely verbal.