I applied online. The process took 2 months. I interviewed at Cisco (Seattle, WA)
Interview
This is only to the Seattle Office. Definitely the worst interviewing experience ever. They first asked me to do a design challenge that is basically their current product and refused to provide any data. It's the hardest design challenge (because they designated very specific user types but refused to provide any information). It took me several sleepless nights just to finish it. When you go on site it's a 2-hour design challenge review (yep, just design challenge). 1 manager + 3 designers from the Boston office (called in remotely) and 2 designers at the Seattle office attended the interview. Those from the Boston office are ruthless - they don't care who you are, what you did, and all they did was nitpicking every small thing on your design challenge just to test your reactions. The 2 designers at the Seattle office are really nice and encouraging throughout the process (thanks to them I didn't break down). I can imagine lots of pressure working here. Not for me
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Design Challenge: desktop views for several specific users types