Overall pretty good experience from beginning to end. HR was really friendly and willing to help with anything. Less than two weeks to receive my offer letter since my first interview. Had two interviews with PMO managers, which were really smooth, mostly a get to know you kind of interview to see cultural fit. Really happy with all the process and to be joining Cisco.

A third party recruiter reached out to me for a Project Specialist role on the VDC team. A few weeks went by before she reached out to coordinate an interview between me and their team. The interview went well, they seemed like okay people. It was a little awkward because the lady in my interview was going on and on, gushing about the manager that was also in the interview. It was very contrived. Later that week they requested a second interview which was with an engineer who was really nice. Friday morning they extended and offer. Because it was a contract role, I needed the weekend to review the benefits package, as I’d be using the benefits from the staffing agency and not Cisco. First thing on Monday I gave verbal acceptance and hours later the VDC team rescinded their offer. I wasn’t given a reason why, but the recruiter speculated that they rescinded because I didn’t immediately accept the offer on Friday. She also speculated that maybe it was because I asked them to confirm business hours (I’m located in PST and they are three hours ahead in EST). I wasn’t even disappointed. Any team that doesn’t allow people the time to evaluate healthcare benefits probably doesn’t understand the magnitude of these big decisions, or that family and health come before work. Dodged a bullet for sure.

A recruiter reached out. I interviewed with someone at Cisco who then invited to a week of various meetings, presentations, and interviews. I went through 5 interviews, which included a 30 minute presentation at the end of the week. I did not get an offer. The recruiter and interviewers were great but the process was very time consuming.