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Cisco Software Engineer Interview Questions and Answers

Updated 26 May 2025

40 Interview questions

A Software Engineer was asked 8mo ago
Q. Given an array, find the next greater element (NGE) for every element. The Next greater element for an element x is the first greater element on the right side of x in the array. Elements for which no great...
Ans. 

Using stack to find the next greater element in an array

  • Create an empty stack to store indices of elements

  • Iterate through the array from right to left

  • Pop elements from stack until a greater element is found or stack is empty

A Software Engineer was asked 8mo ago
Q. Design a multi-user job scheduler.
Ans. 

A multi user job scheduler allows multiple users to schedule and manage their tasks efficiently.

  • Implement a centralized job scheduling system that can handle multiple users and their tasks simultaneously

  • Include features such as task prioritization, deadline management, and resource allocation

  • Use a database to store user information, task details, and scheduling algorithms

  • Provide a user-friendly interface for users...

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A Software Engineer was asked 9mo ago
Q. Given a string s, find the length of the longest subsequence that is lexicographically largest.
Ans. 

Find the largest subsequence in an array of strings

  • Iterate through the array of strings and compare the length of each subsequence

  • Keep track of the longest subsequence found so far

  • Return the longest subsequence

A Software Engineer was asked 10mo ago
Q. What is currying?
Ans. 

Currying is a technique in functional programming where a function with multiple arguments is transformed into a sequence of functions, each taking a single argument.

  • Currying helps in partial application of functions.

  • It allows for creating reusable functions with fixed parameters.

  • Example: const add = a => b => a + b;

A Software Engineer was asked 10mo ago
Q. What is the format of an HTTP header?
Ans. 

HTTP headers are key-value pairs sent between the client and server to provide additional information about the request or response.

  • HTTP headers consist of a key-value pair separated by a colon, with each pair separated by a new line

  • Headers are used to provide information such as content type, content length, caching directives, authentication credentials, etc.

  • Example: 'Content-Type: application/json'

A Software Engineer was asked 11mo ago
Q. Given a matrix, generate a spiral traversal of the matrix in a clockwise direction.
Ans. 

Generate a spiral order traversal of a given matrix in clockwise direction

  • Initialize variables for top, bottom, left, right boundaries

  • Iterate through the matrix in a spiral order while adjusting boundaries

  • Add elements to the result array in the spiral order

A Software Engineer was asked 11mo ago
Q. How do you implement a queue using stacks?
Ans. 

Implement a queue using two stacks by using one stack for enqueue operation and another stack for dequeue operation.

  • Use one stack for enqueue operation by pushing elements onto it.

  • Use another stack for dequeue operation by popping elements from it. If the dequeue stack is empty, transfer all elements from the enqueue stack to the dequeue stack.

  • Maintain the order of elements by transferring elements between the two...

Are these interview questions helpful?
A Software Engineer was asked
Q. What is a microservice?
Ans. 

A microservice is a small, independent, and loosely coupled service that performs a specific business function.

  • Microservices are designed to be small and focused on a single task or business function.

  • They communicate with each other through APIs.

  • Each microservice can be developed, deployed, and scaled independently.

  • Examples include user authentication service, payment processing service, and notification service.

A Software Engineer was asked
Q. Write code to reverse a linked list using recursion.
Ans. 

Code to reverse linked list using recursion

  • Create a recursive function to traverse the linked list

  • Swap the next and previous nodes in each recursive call

  • Return the new head of the reversed linked list

A Software Engineer was asked
Q. How do you find the maximum element in a singly linked list?
Ans. 

Find the maximum element in a singly linked list.

  • Traverse the list and keep track of the maximum element seen so far.

  • Compare each element with the current maximum and update if necessary.

  • Return the maximum element at the end of the traversal.

Cisco Software Engineer Interview Experiences

61 interviews found

Interview experience
4
Good
Difficulty level
-
Process Duration
-
Result
-
Round 1 - Coding Test 

Hacker rank, 3 questions with 1 hour duration

Round 2 - Technical 

(2 Questions)

  • Q1. Stack parenthesis matching
  • Q2. Linked List reversal
Round 3 - Behavioral 

(3 Questions)

  • Q1. Operating System basics
  • Q2. Behavorial questions
  • Q3. Networking Basics

Software Engineer Interview Questions & Answers

user image murari walake

posted on 19 Jul 2024

Interview experience
5
Excellent
Difficulty level
Moderate
Process Duration
Less than 2 weeks
Result
Selected Selected

I appeared for an interview in Jun 2024.

Round 1 - Coding Test 

Hackerrank test with 5 questions 2 easy 3 medium

Round 2 - Technical 

(2 Questions)

  • Q1. Scenario based question
  • Q2. Scenario based questions
Round 3 - Technical 

(2 Questions)

  • Q1. Scenario based questions
  • Q2. Scenario based question
Round 4 - HR 

(2 Questions)

  • Q1. Expained about project and
  • Q2. Salary breakup discussion

Interview Preparation Tips

Interview preparation tips for other job seekers - Though you don’t know exact answers please your approaches
Interview experience
3
Average
Difficulty level
Moderate
Process Duration
Less than 2 weeks
Result
Selected Selected

I appeared for an interview in Mar 2025, where I was asked the following questions.

  • Q1. Collection framework
  • Q2. Design patten details
  • Ans. 

    Design patterns are reusable solutions to common software design problems, enhancing code maintainability and scalability.

    • Creational patterns (e.g., Singleton, Factory) manage object creation.

    • Structural patterns (e.g., Adapter, Composite) deal with object composition.

    • Behavioral patterns (e.g., Observer, Strategy) focus on communication between objects.

    • Example of Singleton: Ensures a class has only one instance, like a ...

  • Answered by AI
Interview experience
4
Good
Difficulty level
-
Process Duration
-
Result
-
Round 1 - Coding Test 

Leetcode easy medium strings and arrays questions

Round 2 - Technical 

(2 Questions)

  • Q1. How TCP works? How does it handle cognition?
  • Ans. 

    TCP is a protocol that ensures reliable communication by establishing a connection, managing data transfer, and handling errors.

    • TCP establishes a connection between two devices before data transfer begins.

    • It breaks data into packets and numbers them for sequencing.

    • It uses acknowledgments and retransmissions to ensure all packets are received.

    • TCP handles flow control by adjusting the transmission rate based on receiver'...

  • Answered by AI
  • Q2. Dynamic programming coding question
  • Ans. 

    Dynamic programming is a method for solving complex problems by breaking them down into simpler subproblems.

    • Identify overlapping subproblems and optimal substructure.

    • Use memoization (top-down) or tabulation (bottom-up) techniques.

    • Example: Fibonacci sequence can be optimized using dynamic programming.

    • Example: The Knapsack problem can be solved efficiently with dynamic programming.

  • Answered by AI
Round 3 - One-on-one 

(1 Question)

  • Q1. Team fit with director about previous experience

Skills evaluated in this interview

Interview experience
4
Good
Difficulty level
Moderate
Process Duration
Less than 2 weeks
Result
-

I applied via Walk-in and was interviewed in Jul 2024. There was 1 interview round.

Round 1 - Technical 

(2 Questions)

  • Q1. HTTP header format ?
  • Ans. 

    HTTP headers are key-value pairs sent between the client and server to provide additional information about the request or response.

    • HTTP headers consist of a key-value pair separated by a colon, with each pair separated by a new line

    • Headers are used to provide information such as content type, content length, caching directives, authentication credentials, etc.

    • Example: 'Content-Type: application/json'

  • Answered by AI
  • Q2. TCP IP/OSI Model

Interview Preparation Tips

Topics to prepare for Cisco Software Engineer interview:
  • DSA
  • Computer Networking
  • Operating Systems

Skills evaluated in this interview

Interview experience
5
Excellent
Difficulty level
-
Process Duration
-
Result
-
Round 1 - Technical 

(2 Questions)

  • Q1. What is call apply bind
  • Q2. What is currying

Skills evaluated in this interview

Interview experience
4
Good
Difficulty level
-
Process Duration
-
Result
Selected Selected
Round 1 - Coding Test 

Python coding round for Automation role

Round 2 - Coding Test 

Another round of python coding for automation

Round 3 - Technical 

(1 Question)

  • Q1. Technical concepts like networking , storage and testing concepts and methodology
Round 4 - Behavioral 

(1 Question)

  • Q1. Technical background, role in the current and upcoming org, Soft skills , inter personal skills
Round 5 - HR 

(1 Question)

  • Q1. Company benefits, salary etc
Interview experience
5
Excellent
Difficulty level
Moderate
Process Duration
2-4 weeks
Result
Selected Selected

I applied via LinkedIn

Round 1 - HR 

(2 Questions)

  • Q1. Permutation of a string
  • Ans. 

    Permutation of a string involves rearranging its characters in all possible orders.

    • Use recursion to generate all possible permutations

    • Swap characters at each position to generate different permutations

    • Base case: when the string length is 1, return the string as a single permutation

  • Answered by AI
  • Q2. Frontend concepts
Interview experience
3
Average
Difficulty level
Hard
Process Duration
Less than 2 weeks
Result
Not Selected

I applied via Approached by Company and was interviewed in Apr 2024. There were 3 interview rounds.

Round 1 - Coding Test 

HackerRank Coding Test - Non Proctored

Round 2 - Technical 

(1 Question)

  • Q1. Find the next greater element using stack
Round 3 - Technical 

(1 Question)

  • Q1. System Design - Design a multi user job scheduler

Interview Preparation Tips

Interview preparation tips for other job seekers - Prepare DSA and basic system design well.

Skills evaluated in this interview

Interview experience
4
Good
Difficulty level
-
Process Duration
-
Result
-
Round 1 - Coding Test 

Standard Easy/Medium Leetcode was asked.

Round 2 - Technical 

(1 Question)

  • Q1. A basic system design question was asked.
Round 3 - Behavioral 

(1 Question)

  • Q1. Questions about my current company and project.

Top trending discussions

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Interview Tips & Stories
1w
toobluntforu
·
works at
Cvent
Can speak English, can’t deliver in interviews
I feel like I can't speak fluently during interviews. I do know english well and use it daily to communicate, but the moment I'm in an interview, I just get stuck. since it's not my first language, I struggle to express what I actually feel. I know the answer in my head, but I just can’t deliver it properly at that moment. Please guide me
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Cisco Interview FAQs

How many rounds are there in Cisco Software Engineer interview?
Cisco interview process usually has 2-3 rounds. The most common rounds in the Cisco interview process are Technical, Coding Test and One-on-one Round.
How to prepare for Cisco Software Engineer interview?
Go through your CV in detail and study all the technologies mentioned in your CV. Prepare at least two technologies or languages in depth if you are appearing for a technical interview at Cisco. The most common topics and skills that interviewers at Cisco expect are Python, Cisco, Linux Administration, Computer Networking and Debugging.
What are the top questions asked in Cisco Software Engineer interview?

Some of the top questions asked at the Cisco Software Engineer interview -

  1. How many clients are possible for a /24 address?. What is the network address a...read more
  2. When would I go for a router to make two computers communica...read more
  3. What is the difference between an arraylist and a linkedlist in Ja...read more
What are the most common questions asked in Cisco Software Engineer HR round?

The most common HR questions asked in Cisco Software Engineer interview are -

  1. What are your strengths and weakness...read more
  2. Why should we hire y...read more
  3. Tell me about yourse...read more
How long is the Cisco Software Engineer interview process?

The duration of Cisco Software Engineer interview process can vary, but typically it takes about less than 2 weeks to complete.

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Overall Interview Experience Rating

4.2/5

based on 41 interview experiences

Difficulty level

Easy 7%
Moderate 89%
Hard 4%

Duration

Less than 2 weeks 69%
2-4 weeks 19%
4-6 weeks 8%
More than 8 weeks 4%
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Cisco Software Engineer Salary
based on 2.8k salaries
₹12 L/yr - ₹44.1 L/yr
213% more than the average Software Engineer Salary in India
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Cisco Software Engineer Reviews and Ratings

based on 275 reviews

4.3/5

Rating in categories

3.9

Skill development

4.4

Work-life balance

3.9

Salary

3.6

Job security

4.4

Company culture

3.5

Promotions

3.8

Work satisfaction

Explore 275 Reviews and Ratings
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