Process
Phone screen and onsite interviews were both pretty low-key, focusing on frameworks and technologies. Overall, it was a good experience. There were minimal in-depth questions on algorithms.
Questions
Write REST endpoints to implement a journal using a backend framework of your choice. Emphasis on design patterns and knowledge of concurrency for various frameworks and technologies.
Overall good experience.
Minimal questions in depth on algorithms.
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Interview Statistics
The following metrics were computed from 1 interview experience for the Cisco SWE role in Milpitas, California.
Success Rate
0%
Pass Rate
Cisco's interview process for their SWE roles in Milpitas, California is extremely selective, failing the vast majority of engineers.
Experience Rating
Positive100%
Neutral0%
Negative0%
Candidates reported having very good feelings for Cisco's SWE interview process in Milpitas, California.
Cisco Work Experiences
4.0
Good Balance, Slow Growth
SWE • Current Employee
San Jose, California, United States
February 19, 2018
Pros: Good work/life balance.
Decent compensation.
Good 401k plan.
Cons: Too much middle management and slow growth within the company.
2.0
Good for entry level and to gain experience
Software Engineer • Current Employee
Milpitas, California, United States
November 9, 2025
Pros: It is good to join at an entry level when you have nothing. You will get access to a whole range of development tools and environments.
There are very good technical mentors as well. The campus is beautiful.
There are good opportunities to network and move internally.
Cons: In my first team, which probably did not generate much revenue, my pay was horrendous, but WLB was good.
Switched to another team after a few years.
Revenue-generating team, but my pay remained horrendous. The WLB is like working for Big Tech (too many tasks where you have a lot to work but no time to improve your learning curve), and no recognition whatsoever. Extremely deluded people are running the show in terms of people management.
5.0
Talented people to work with
Software Engineer • Current Employee
Milpitas, California, United States
October 30, 2025
Pros: Talented people who know the ins and outs of internet technologies.
Work-life balance.
Awesome fitness facilities.
Cons: Frequent layoffs.
Lesser salary compared to other Bay Area companies.
- 4.0Good Balance, Slow GrowthSWE • Current EmployeeSan Jose, California, United StatesFebruary 19, 2018Pros: Good work/life balance. Decent compensation. Good 401k plan.Cons: Too much middle management and slow growth within the company.
- 2.0Good for entry level and to gain experienceSoftware Engineer • Current EmployeeMilpitas, California, United StatesNovember 9, 2025Pros: It is good to join at an entry level when you have nothing. You will get access to a whole range of development tools and environments. There are very good technical mentors as well. The campus is beautiful. There are good opportunities to network and move internally.Cons: In my first team, which probably did not generate much revenue, my pay was horrendous, but WLB was good. Switched to another team after a few years. Revenue-generating team, but my pay remained horrendous. The WLB is like working for Big Tech (too many tasks where you have a lot to work but no time to improve your learning curve), and no recognition whatsoever. Extremely deluded people are running the show in terms of people management.
- 5.0Talented people to work withSoftware Engineer • Current EmployeeMilpitas, California, United StatesOctober 30, 2025Pros: Talented people who know the ins and outs of internet technologies. Work-life balance. Awesome fitness facilities.Cons: Frequent layoffs. Lesser salary compared to other Bay Area companies.
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