Cisco Hardware Engineer Interview Questions and Answers

Round: Test
Experience: MCQ type. No negative marking.
Question paper had two sections. 
(i) General Aptitude 
(ii) Technical
The technical section had 50 questions and out of which 40 were from electrical questions. I was able to answer only the CS part and marked randomly for other elec based questions.
Tips: Do well in your aptitude section and CS section.

Round: Interview
Experience: I was hired for Network Consultant profile. So they asked me questions from networks. The questions were simple. If they are opting for programmer profile, they would be asked questions from C and data structures.

Round: Interview
Experience: They were assessing how I would react in case of difference in opinion with manager, etc etc.

General Tips: I started my preparation in October. I was doing all the learning writing tests. :)
It would definitely help students if they start their preparation by August.
Skill Tips: I have no idea on how they shortlisted students for written test. For the interview, it was based upon our written
test performance. Since they came on day 3, they had a waiting list of students for the interview.


Started solving previous year question papers. Almost all companies follow the same pattern which they had in the previous years. You might even get the same questions. Start solving puzzles and previous year question papers from August. There would be flurry of companies coming for CS and it would be very difficult if one starts preparing late. Earlier the preparation the better.

Important for CS students: C, C++, Data structures and Algorithms, OS.

Few companies ask students to write programs on paper. The best way to prepare would be start solving
programming questions.
College Name: IIT MADRAS

Round: Test
Experience: Objective type test for one hour on Aptitude, Operating systems, C Programming, Computer Organization, Digital Electronics and Microprocessors were asked.
Tips: The above mentioned subjects should be prepared thoroughly.

Round: Technical Interview
Experience: My knowledge about Electronics and Communication engineering basics, Networking, C programming, Data Structures, Operating systems, Puzzles was mainly tested.

Round: HR Interview
Experience: Puzzle solving ability, Analytical skills were focused upon.

General Tips: I started preparing two months earlier and mainly focused on my core and C programming.
College Name: IIT MADRAS

Round: Test
Experience: I prepared for the test mainly by the study material provided by the college. The questions asked in the tests were mainly based on Quants and Core subject.

Round: Technical Interview
Experience: Analog and digital communications, Microcontrollers were the topics on which most of the questions were asked.

General Tips: I started my preparation in August and you should do the same
Skill Tips: I mainly used internet to prepare for the interview. I mainly focused on DS, Networking, digital circuits and C.
College Name: IIT MADRAS

Round: Test
Experience: The test was Aptitude and Technical (Mostly digital IC design and some questions from analog circuits)

Round: Technical Interview
Tips: Be thorough with concepts in Digital Ic design and Digital logic. Go through standard interview questions like clock dividers, standard verilog codes, MUX based implementations etc.

General Tips: Good CGPA definitely helps. But systematic preparation is most important. Don't neglect aptitude. Practice it well before placements. Go through previous papers of the companies. In interview, questions follow from the answers you give. So be careful while answering. Don't bring in something you are not clear about.
Skill Tips: I think I got selected because of my approach to their questions. I think my resume matched their profile and they liked my project and the way I explained it in detail.

Following courses will help for Digital Profile...

Digital IC design
CAD for VLSI
Digital Design Verification
Advanced Topics in VLSI
College Name: IIT Madras

Round: Test
Experience: Good knowledge of OS concepts will be useful in clearing the test. The programming questions and aptitude was fairly easy.

Objective type questions covered the following areas
Section 1 - Aptitude
Section 2 - Operating system, Microprocessor, C Programming, Networking

Round: Technical Interview
Experience: My C Programming / Data Structures skills were mainly tested.

Round: HR Interview
Experience: HR Round was very brief- only questions regarding location preference, previous roles etc were asked.

General Tips: Two-Three weeks before the first placement test. For communication companies, I refreshed digital communication fundamentals. Basic of linear algebra and probability theory. Also, spent some time, studying the basics of data structures and algorithms.

One should be prepared to explain every detail in his/her resume. Most interviews start with the description of one's project work. For both core (communication) and non-core companies, programming concepts (C and data structures) are very important.
Skill Tips: Watched a few mock interviews (Youtube / other websites). I also went through some books which covered common interview questions. Electives and course work details were not considered for shortlisting. My MS thesis is in the area of Wireless networking. It helped me to convince the interviewer why I was interested in working in a networking company.

I initially focused on aptitude, then Programming / Algorithms and data structures.
College Name: IIT Madras

Round: Test
Experience: I studied c, data structures since it is compulsory for most of the companies. Went through one or two previous years papers in the placement web site. Just before the day of the test I went through the digital and microprocessor basics.

There were two profiles; Software and Hardware. We had an option to write both the tests, so i took the software and then hardware (I was not at all serious about hardware). The aptitude section was common to both the profiles, which is comparatively easy. Some questions were repeated from the previous year’s question paper which was given in the placement website. The questions in software profile included digital, microprocessor basics and some general networking and operating systems qns. As I remember correct, surprisingly there were no C, Data structure questions. But it is always better to expect c, data structures in every placement test you write. In networking, IP address related questions are so common that you will find it everywhere.

Round: Interview
Experience: 1st round: was everything based on your resume. If you can impress them in your first round, you are half way through. They started from simple questions but finally ended up in my research work. I had to defend my work like anything.

2nd work: Puzzles, C, data structures: It was the simplest round. They look at the way you think.

3rd round: Networking basics questions. Some of the candidates did not have this round. It could perform only in an average level in this round (may be below average too :)). I think they do not expect much of the networking knowledge from you. Otherwise I wouldn't have got through.

Round: Interview
Experience: No worries in this round. Be yourself and answer naturally. They asked something like if a conflict comes, how do you deal with it? etc.

Skill Tips: The presence of mind and the way you defend your project is very important. I mentally prepared on how to present my research work and projects. Networking basics. I stayed calm.

Prepare C, data structure foe all companies. Communication Network helped a bit in networking.Common subjects will help in QUALCOMM and Broadcom. If you are aspiring for finance companies, prepare IMO questions.
College Name: IIT Madras

Round: Test
Experience: Initial Short-listing : Written Test
There were two profiles; Software and HardwareOption to write both the testsAptitude section common to both the profiles; comparatively easy. Questions repeated from previous year‟s question paper which given in the placement websiteQuestions in software profile included digital, microprocessor basics and some general networking and operating systems questionsTopics for hardware profile was mostly digital IC design and some questions from analog circuits
Tips: Focus on aptitude, then Programming / Algorithms and data structuresGood CGPA definitely helps. But systematic preparation is most important
Duration: 60 minutes

Round: Interview
Experience: Interview is held in 3-4 rounds – one HR round and the remaining technical rounds
Round duration can vary from 20 minutes to 1 hour
Technical rounds - 1st round is everything based on your resume. If you can impress them in your first round, you are half way through. Other technical rounds consist Electronics and Communication Engineering basics, Networking, C programming, Data Structures,Operating systems, Puzzles
Tips: In Interview, questions follow from the answers you give. So be careful while answering.Don't bring in something you are not clear about

Round: Interview
Experience: HR round consisted of general HR questions

College Name: IIT Madras