The hiring process at Cisco takes an average of 46 days when considering 2 user submitted interviews across all job titles. Candidates applying for CSM had the quickest hiring process (on average 1 day), whereas Intern Field Sales roles had the slowest hiring process (on average 90 days).
Initial phone interview followed by onsite. The onsite interview is split among four different individuals and the interviews are coordinated such that you are not asked the same questions multiple times. Cisco uses behavioral interviewing -- meaning that they are looking for practical experience from your past to demonstrate your answers, not just theoretical "what would I do if...." type answers.
I applied through an employee referral. The process took 3 weeks. I interviewed at Cisco in Jun 2013
Interview
There were three rounds of telephonic interview. Then a written test. Two more rounds of person to person interview. This was followed by a telephonic interview with HR. Most questions were to assess the language capability and quick comprehension of complex technical information. There were also a few questions regarding project management.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Most questions pertained to gauging the grasp of English language and quick comprehension of complex technical information.