Process
They first sent me two code challenges, which were very time-consuming.
One was about designing a hash on a cache layer, and the other was about Unix.
I felt that it was really unnecessary to proceed in that way.
Questions
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Are locks in Java reentrant?
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Weak, soft, and strong references in Java garbage collection.
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Does it make sense to catch an OutOfMemoryError exception?
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Interview Statistics
The following metrics were computed from 436 interview experiences for the Cisco Software Engineer role in United States.
Success Rate
42%
Pass Rate
Cisco's interview process for their Software Engineer roles in the United States is fairly selective, failing a large portion of engineers who go through it.
Experience Rating
Positive58%
Neutral30%
Negative12%
Candidates reported having very good feelings for Cisco's Software Engineer interview process in United States.
Cisco Work Experiences
4.0
Good place to work, pay disparity is huge
Software Engineer • Current Employee
Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
February 27, 2025
Pros: - Good work-life balance.
- Hybrid work is very flexible.
Cons: - The pay gap is really big within the same job grade.
- Promotions are scarce, and hence people don't stay for a long time.
- The bonus is negligible, with no profit sharing, stock bonus, or any kind of benefits up to job grade 6.
3.0
Pros and Cons
Software Engineer • Current Employee
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
October 3, 2024
Pros: Good Salary and Remote Job
Cons: Too many layoffs in one year.
3.0
Work at Cisco
Software Engineer • Current Employee
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
December 10, 2022
Pros: Great work-life balance. Good culture.
Cons: Very little compensation when compared to other big companies like Google, Microsoft, Amazon, etc. Slow promotions.
- 4.0Good place to work, pay disparity is hugeSoftware Engineer • Current EmployeeChennai, Tamil Nadu, IndiaFebruary 27, 2025Pros: - Good work-life balance. - Hybrid work is very flexible.Cons: - The pay gap is really big within the same job grade. - Promotions are scarce, and hence people don't stay for a long time. - The bonus is negligible, with no profit sharing, stock bonus, or any kind of benefits up to job grade 6.
- 3.0Pros and ConsSoftware Engineer • Current EmployeeBengaluru, Karnataka, IndiaOctober 3, 2024Pros: Good Salary and Remote JobCons: Too many layoffs in one year.
- 3.0Work at CiscoSoftware Engineer • Current EmployeeBengaluru, Karnataka, IndiaDecember 10, 2022Pros: Great work-life balance. Good culture.Cons: Very little compensation when compared to other big companies like Google, Microsoft, Amazon, etc. Slow promotions.
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