Cisco Ideathon Experience Interview Experience 2024

Eligibility Criteria

To participate, candidates needed to complete courses from NetAcad provided by the college and register for the Ideathon.

Round 1: Online Test
Registered students received the test link, and my test was conducted on June 25, 2025. The test included 51 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and one coding question, covering topics such as Python, CCNA, and aptitude. The coding question was a challenging dynamic programming problem, and the test was conducted on the HackerRank platform. Results were announced 15–20 days later, on July 12, 2024, via email from the college. About 360 students from across India were selected to move on to further interview rounds.

Round 2: PPT Submission
On July 12, we were provided with three problem statements by Cisco. We had to create a PowerPoint solution for one of the topics, focusing solely on the proposed solution rather than implementation. The PPT submission deadline was July 18, and it was submitted using the link provided by Cisco. The next interview was scheduled for July 22.

Round 3: Technical Round (TR) (Elimination Round)
This virtual round was conducted on the Webex platform and lasted about an hour. It began with a personal introduction, followed by questions about my projects:

Project Questions:

1. Explanation of the project.
2. The motivation behind creating the project.
3. Challenges faced during the project.
4. Clarification on whether it was a team project or an individual effort.
5. Comparison with similar projects available online.

Networking Questions:

1. Detailed explanation of the OSI model and its layers.
2. Protocols are used at each OSI layer.
3. Relationship between MAC and IP addresses.
4. Understanding of ARP, DHCP, UDP vs. TCP, and the session layer.
5. Routing protocols and the working of a router.

I was then asked to present the PPT from Round 2 and faced several questions regarding its feasibility, implementation approach, tech stack, and other aspects. The round concluded after a Q&A session. Out of 350 participants, 200 were selected for the next round.

Round 4: Manager Round (MR) (Elimination Round)
This round started with problem-solving questions based on my resume, highlighting my 5-star rating on HackerRank. The discussion included:

• Real-world problems are solved through projects.
• Justifications for creating projects even if similar ones exist online.
• Questions on my interest in chess and Sudoku, understanding project documentation, and the Indian budget.
• Scenarios on convincing someone to collaborate on a project and problem-solving approaches.
• Teamwork experiences, staying updated with technology, and differences between networking devices.

This round lasted about 40-50 minutes. Out of 200 students, approximately 160 advanced to the HR round.

Round 5: HR Round
This was a brief and formal round, lasting only 5 minutes, covering:

1. Personal introduction.
2. Willingness to relocate (Bangalore or Pune).
3. Preferences for day or night shifts.
4. Availability for an internship.

They provided details about the salary and pay, and I concluded the interview by asking 3-4 questions.

Result
Results were announced 20 days later, and unfortunately, I was not selected. Only 22 students were chosen for the Technical Consulting role across all candidates from India. Notably, none of the applicants, including myself, were selected for the Consulting Engineer position, possibly due to a hiring freeze or layoffs without any explanation.

Learning
Throughout this journey, I've learned that sometimes, success depends on luck. However, navigating through the entire process was an accomplishment in itself, making me stronger and bolder. Going through all the rounds and gaining this experience is something I take pride in, regardless of the outcome.