What are 3 rounds in interview?

Common 3 Rounds in an Interview Process

Many companies, including tech giants like Cisco, structure their interviews into three main rounds to assess different aspects of a candidate's qualifications. Here’s what you can typically expect:

1. Technical Round

Purpose

This round evaluates your technical skills and problem-solving abilities. It’s often a combination of coding, algorithms, and knowledge specific to the role you’re applying for.

What to Expect

• Coding Challenges: Solve problems related to data structures (e.g., arrays, trees, graphs) and algorithms (e.g., sorting, searching, dynamic programming).
• System Design: For experienced roles, you may be asked to design scalable systems like a messaging app or load balancer.
• Role-Specific Questions: Questions related to networking, software development, or security for roles in those fields.

Preparation

• Courses:
  • Grokking the Coding Interview: Patterns for Coding Questions
  • Grokking System Design Fundamentals
• Mock Interviews:
  • Coding Mock Interview
  • System Design Mock Interview

2. Behavioral Round

Purpose

This round assesses your cultural fit, teamwork skills, and ability to handle real-world challenges. Companies want to ensure you align with their values and can work well in their team environment.

What to Expect

• Behavioral Questions:
  • “Describe a time you faced a challenging situation and how you resolved it.”
  • “How do you handle conflicts in a team?”
• STAR Method: Structure your answers using the Situation, Task, Action, Result framework.
• Team Collaboration: Discuss your experiences with cross-functional teams or leading projects.

Preparation

• Courses:
  • Grokking Modern Behavioral Interview
• Blogs:
  • 6 Key Soft Skills You Need for Clearing Technical Interviews

3. Final/HR Round

Purpose

This round typically involves discussions about salary expectations, role alignment, and your career aspirations. It’s also an opportunity for the company to gauge your overall interest and motivation.

What to Expect

• Career Goals: Questions about where you see yourself in the next 3-5 years.
• Company Knowledge: Why you want to join this company and how you align with their mission.
• Compensation and Logistics: Salary discussions, benefits, and potential start dates.

Preparation

• Research the company’s values, mission, and recent achievements.
• Prepare thoughtful questions to ask the interviewer, showing genuine interest in the role and organization.

Conclusion

The three common interview rounds—technical, behavioral, and final/HR—serve to comprehensively evaluate your skills, personality, and fit for the role. By preparing with the right resources, like those offered by DesignGurus.io, and practicing mock interviews, you can confidently tackle each stage and stand out as a top candidate.