Getting an interview opportunity with technology giant Cisco Systems as a Customer Support Engineer is a great chance to showcase your technical skills and problem-solving abilities. Cisco deals with complex enterprise-grade networking infrastructure so this role requires candidates to demonstrate strong technical knowledge along with communication and troubleshooting skills.
To help you prepare for the Cisco interview process, we have compiled a list of the top 25 customer support engineer interview questions frequently asked by Cisco recruiters Read on to get insights into the types of technical and behavioral interview questions asked during the different stages of the hiring process
Technical Interview Questions
1. Can you walk me through the basic troubleshooting steps you would take for a customer reporting connectivity issues?
This question tests your structured approach to diagnosing and isolating the root cause of network problems. Outline the logical flow you would follow – questioning the customer, checking configurations, testing connections, reviewing logs etc.
2. What are some common causes of slow network performance and how would you troubleshoot them?
Highlight your understanding of performance issues like high bandwidth utilization, latency, faulty hardware etc. and how you would use tools like SNMP monitoring, packet capturing etc. to pinpoint the culprit.
3. How does a routing protocol like OSPF work? What are its advantages over RIP?
Demonstrate your knowledge of core networking concepts like routing protocols. Explain how OSPF evaluates path metrics and converges faster than distance vector protocols like RIP.
4. Explain spanning tree protocol and its role in preventing loops in layer 2 networks.
Questions gauging conceptual knowledge are common in the Cisco technical interview. Discuss STP election, port roles, and how it handles redundancy to prevent broadcast storms.
5. What are VLANs and why are they used in large networks?
Questions assessing your foundational knowledge will be asked. Explain VLAN concepts and their benefits like improved security and optimized broadcast domains.
6. How does NAT help optimize IP address utilization?
Expect questions testing your understanding of core network services. Discuss how NAT allows private IP networks to connect to the internet by mapping to public IP addresses.
7. Can you explain a situation where BGP would be used over an IGP?
Demonstrate your knowledge of when and why certain protocols are preferable. Explain why BGP is used for inter-domain routing to achieve global connectivity.
8. How would you troubleshoot an SSH connection timeout issue?
Apply your troubleshooting methodology to hypothetical scenarios. Outline steps like checking port connectivity, firewall rules, server load etc. to diagnose SSH timeouts.
9. What steps would you take to secure a new router configuration from cyber threats?
Security is paramount for network infrastructure. Share best practices like disabling unused services, using encrypted protocols, ACLs, password protection etc.
10. What factors need to be considered when designing a wireless network?
Expect scenarios gauging your ability to apply networking fundamentals. Discuss elements like interference, bandwidth, client density, AP placement etc. that impact Wi-Fi deployment.
Behavioral Interview Questions
11. Tell me about a time you successfully handled a difficult customer.
Cisco values customer focus. Share an example that shows your patience, empathy and communications skills in resolving a tricky customer service scenario.
12. What do you do when you do not have the solution to a customer’s problem?
Highlight your persistence by explaining how you leverage all resources like internal knowledge bases, colleagues etc. to research the issue while keeping the customer informed.
13. How do you balance between strictly following standard procedures and thinking creatively?
In customer support, following protocol is key but so is out-of-the-box thinking. Share how you strike this balance to provide effective solutions.
14. Share an example of when you successfully explained a technical concept to a non-technical customer.
Communication skills are vital in customer-facing roles. Demonstrate using analogies, visuals etc. to simplify complex technical details for layman customers.
15. Tell me about a time you made a mistake that negatively impacted a customer.
Cisco looks for accountability. Share an example that highlights how you took ownership of a mistake, remained composed, and worked to rectify the situation.
16. How do you stay up-to-date with the latest networking technologies and industry trends?
Continuous learning is key in the fast-paced tech landscape. Share how you enhance your knowledge through news, courses, conferences etc. to provide solutions using the latest advancements.
17. Have you handled an escalation? How did you deal with an upset customer?
Escalations will happen. Share your approach to empathizing, letting them vent frustrations, and re-engaging them to resolve the issue.
18. Tell me about a time you faced a problem you could not solve. What did you do?
Persistence matters. If stuck, explain how you would leverage mentors, research extensively, or collaborate with peers until you uncover a solution.
19. Why do you want to work as a customer support engineer for Cisco?
Show your motivation by highlighting your interest in networking, passion for customer success, and desire to work for an innovative industry leader like Cisco.
20. How do you stay motivated on projects that fail to excite you?
Cisco needs self-driven engineers. Share how you maintain focus and drive, even when tasks are mundane or projects face roadblocks.
21. How do you respond to pressure or stress while troubleshooting complex issues?
Expect high-pressure situations in this role. Discuss stress management tactics and how you ensure quality outcomes despite challenges.
22. How would you explain a very technical issue or process to someone unfamiliar with technology?
Communication and patience are key customer support skills. Discuss how you simplify complex details through analogies, examples, diagrams etc. for layman understanding.
23. Tell me about a time you faced a troubleshooting scenario you had no experience with. How did you handle it?
Resourcefulness matters when tackling unfamiliar issues. Share how you leveraged all resources to research and learn on the fly while resolving the customer’s problem.
24. Why do you feel you are a good fit for this role?
Make your case by highlighting how your technical expertise, customer service skills, and eagerness to learn perfectly align with the Customer Support Engineer role.
25. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Share your career aspirations and passion for growth. Cisco wants motivated individuals who seek continuous learning.
How to Prepare for the Cisco Interview
- Review Cisco products, networking fundamentals, common protocols, and technologies to brush up on technical knowledge
- Practice discussing experiences that demonstrate customer-focus, communication ability, and troubleshooting skills
- Prepare examples that showcase your perseverance, accountability, and ability to handle pressure or unfamiliar scenarios
- Research Cisco’s company culture, mission, and competitive landscape to understand their business needs
- Review the job description and your resume to identify likely areas of assessment during the interview
- Prepare intelligent questions to ask the interviewer regarding the team, training processes, and learning opportunities
- Get a good night’s rest and arrive early to the interview location to reduce stress
The Cisco customer support engineering interview aims to thoroughly assess your technical abilities along with vital soft skills like communication, problem-solving, and adaptability. Prepare sufficiently, highlight your customer-centric approach, showcase your networking proficiency, and stay cool under pressure to maximize your chances of landing this coveted opportunity. All the best!
CISCO Interview Questions & Answers | (How to PASS a CISCO SYSTEMS, INC Job Interview!)
FAQ
What is the interview process for Cisco engineer?
How many rounds of interview does Cisco have?
How many Cisco interview questions are there?
Share Your Experiences Glassdoor has millions of jobs plus salary information, company reviews, and interview questions from people on the inside making it easy to find a job that’s right for you. Cisco interview details: 6,346 interview questions and 5,814 interview reviews posted anonymously by Cisco interview candidates.
What is the interview process like at Cisco?
I interviewed at Cisco (San Jose, CA) Typical leetcode question and basic knowledge of object oriented programming type questions. Had to type out the code on a shared screen and explain my thought process. Question and answer at the end. I interviewed at Cisco Super day consisted of 3 hours of back to back behavioral and technical rounds.
What should you talk about in a Cisco interview?
Discuss specific Cisco products you’ve used and how they enhanced efficiency and reliability. Highlight any instances where you have successfully improved a system’s performance using these tools. If you’re new to Cisco products, talk about your general approach to optimization and your eagerness to master their systems.
How long did it take to get a job at Cisco recruiter?
I interviewed at Cisco Recruiter went over position and my resume. Then scheduled the first interview for the following day. Was with manager and team member. Then had 2nd interview day after with 2 other team members. Then had 3rd and final interview with another team member. From recruiter reaching out to receiving job offer was 5 days.
