What It Does: Cisco supports the company’s global technology product and service operations.
Staff Stats: 77,500 Globally
Financials: US$49.30 Billion
Cisco helps seize the opportunities of tomorrow by proving that amazing things can happen when you connect the unconnected. An integral part of our DNA is creating long-lasting customer partnerships, working together to identify our customers' needs and provide solutions that fuel their success.
We have preserved this keen focus on solving business challenges since our founding in 1984. Len Bosack and wife Sandy Lerner, both working for Stanford University, wanted to email each other from their respective offices, but technological shortcomings did not allow such communication. A technology had to be invented to deal with disparate local area protocols, and as a result of solving their challenge, the multiprotocol router was born.
Cisconians, as the company calls its employees, generally feel positive about the workplace environment. Cisco owes this sentiment to employee recognition, flexible work practices, and superb benefits.
A distinct practice at the company involves swapping 20% of work responsibilities with a colleague. This allows them to learn new things yet still handle their original duties.
Cisco is undoubtedly a dream employer for freshers, but not everyone will be qualified to join the organization. As the eligibility criteria can be quite demanding, the possibility of working at the company starts with having stellar academic marks.
Cisco begins the hiring process by having high qualifying standards. For example, engineering and tech graduates should have a minimum of 70% marks in secondary (10th) and higher secondary school (12th).
Their CGPA should also be 7 or above (minimum of 8 or 9 in top-tier schools). Freshers who meet the eligibility criteria should expect three to five rounds of interviews and tests.
The first part consists of 50 multiple-choice questions about aptitude and technical knowledge. Candidates need to complete the test within one hour, so they shouldn’t take more than a minute to answer each question.
Only 10% to 20% of applicants who took the online test advance to the first technical interview. The interviewer will ask questions that look into their subject-matter knowledge for the target role at Cisco.
Candidates should prepare for questions related to all of what they’ve put in their CVs. This round will assess what they have done during internships, projects, or training sessions.
The hiring manager will evaluate the candidates’ personalities if they’re a good fit for the team. Be ready to answer questions about teamwork and problem-solving skills:
Once the hiring manager endorses the candidate for an HR interview, the shortlisted candidates should answer questions about their background:
The company may take up to four weeks on average to extend a job offer to selected candidates
Aside from entry-level roles, Cisco provides students and freshers with 11 University Programs in these business segments:
The programs give a ‘unique and valuable’ chance for interns to gain real experience before potentially transitioning into a full-time role. Insiders said that the general corporate hierarchy involves different grade levels:
In terms of promotions, tech freshers usually advance into a higher position after three years. Promotions for some people may take only two years under special circumstances (eg excellent performance).
Annual bonuses
Employee stock purchase program
Performance bonuses
Pension plan
Provident Fund contributions
Retirement plan
Tuition reimbursement
Dental
Disability
Health
Life
Vision
Bereavement leave
Birthday leave
Vacation leave
Sick leave
Company vehicle
Employee assistance program
Flexible work hours
Gym membership
Cisco also recognizes a fresher’s first work anniversary through the Ciscoversary program. It allows them to ‘pick a prize or experience’ in celebration of their company milestone.