Real, anonymous reports from people who interviewed for Software Engineer at Cisco Restaurant + Bar, newest first and distilled into what to expect across the loop.
My process started after I got reached out by the recruiter, and I remember it moving in a pretty clear sequence. I first did a phone screen that focused on my resume and what I’d done before, then I got an online assessment. After that, the technical rounds kicked off, and they were heavy on LeetCode-style questions.
After applying, I went through a simple two-round loop. The first round was behavioral: I talked through my most technically challenging project and framed what I did and why it mattered. It felt straightforward, and the questions stayed rooted in my experience rather than trying to trick me.
The interview process typically starts with a recruiter screening, followed by an online assessment, and then progresses through multiple technical rounds that often include behavioral and managerial discussions. Candidates noted that the process felt structured and moved quickly once in the core interview phase.
Technical interviews heavily emphasize coding, networking, and operating systems, with many candidates experiencing a mix of LeetCode-style problems and practical application questions. The focus is on understanding fundamentals and applying them to real-world scenarios rather than just theoretical knowledge.
Behavioral interviews often use a STAR format and focus on candidates' project experiences and how they approach problem-solving and teamwork. Managerial rounds tend to be conversational, allowing candidates to explain their work style and thought processes in detail.
Candidates reported that interviews consistently tested their understanding of core concepts across various domains, including networking, operating systems, and data structures. The emphasis was on practical application and reasoning rather than advanced algorithms.
The difficulty of the interviews varied, with many candidates finding the questions challenging but fair, requiring a solid grasp of the material. Some noted that the pace of questioning could be intense, especially when transitioning from project discussions to technical problem-solving.
Candidates reflected on the importance of thorough preparation in both technical fundamentals and project discussions, suggesting that a clear narrative around their experiences could have strengthened their performance. Some wished they had practiced more coding under time constraints.