Hot Topic Interview Questions &amp; Reviews

Other Details

I applied In-Person and the interview consisted of a Group/Panel Interview and a Skills Test.

Helpful Interview?

Yes | No

Inappropriate?

2.0

Easy Interview

Overall Positive Experience

Received and Accepted Offer

Interviewed Nov 2011 in Strongsville, OH (took 3 days)

I applied in august even though they weren't hiring then, they called me mid November and asked if I was still interested and I said yes. A few days later I went in for the interview and the manager walked me to the food court. Along with basic interview questions they asked a few music related questions. Don't try to give the right answer or overly formal, just be yourself. They called me the next day and offered me the job

Interview Questions

How do you learn about new music?

Helpful Interview?

Yes | No

Inappropriate?

2.0

Easy Interview

Overall Positive Experience

Received and Accepted Offer

Interviewed Mar 2010 in Morrow, GA (took a day)

I was called by the District Manager over the phone. The interview only took about 10 minutes. She asked me about my past experiences in retail and what I am currently studying in school. It was not a stressful interview at all.

Interview Questions

What skills have you learned at other retail schools?

Where do you see yourself after your graduate from college.

Other Details

The interview consisted of a Phone Interview.

Helpful Interview?

Yes | No

Inappropriate?

2.0

Easy Interview

Overall Positive Experience

Received and Accepted Offer

Interviewed Jan 2009 (took 3 weeks)

Nice place to work staff really friendly

Interview Questions

What can you bring to this work place?

What is your favorite music?

Negotiation Details

No negotioantions

Other Details

The interview consisted of a Phone Interview and a 1:1 Interview.

Helpful Interview?

Yes | No

Inappropriate?

1.0

Very Easy Interview

Overall Positive Experience

Received and Accepted Offer

Interviewed Nov 2010 in Woodbridge, VA (took a day)

This interview was the easiest I have ever been to. They asked questions like, "What do you know about pop culture?" "How do you find out about pop culture?" "Do you have any previous work experience?" "What is your favorite band or musician?" The whole interview is about being personable, friendly, and at least semi-knowledgeable about music. As long as you talk and smile a lot, and name some interesting bands, you should get the job. I was in an interview with five people, two of which were much more experienced than me, and out of the interview only one other person got hired, and he had no work experience as well.

Interview Questions

Who is your favorite band?

How would you stop someone that is stealing from the store?

Negotiation Details

There was no negotiation. Chance for a raise comes after 1 year.

Other Details

I applied In-Person and the interview consisted of a Group/Panel Interview.

Helpful Interview?

Yes | No

Inappropriate?

1.0

Very Easy Interview

Overall Positive Experience

Received and Accepted Offer

Interviewed Sep 2009 in Sioux City, IA (took 4 weeks)

My interview at Hot Topic was super easy. I was applying for the Assistant Manager position, part-time. The store had no full-time assistant, just two part-time because they did not make enough money. The person I was interviewing with was actually the assistant who I was going to be taking over for. His store manager was about to leave the company, and he was still interviewing for the store manager position. So the part-time assistant position that I was interviewing for was not even technically open yet, and would only be open if he was accepted as the store manager. He had no expierence with interviews before so it was very informal and relaxed. He just wanted to know mostly about if I could merchandise the store, because the three managers that would be left after their current store manager left were all men and did not merchandise very well. Besides that, he wanted to know that I would be able to be a manager and not my coworkers friend, and that I had some knowledge of music. He told me that even if I did not know 90% of the music that they carried, it did not matter because I could learn it over time, which was very reassuring.

After that, I had a phone interview with the district manager, which was super easy! She was very friendly and it lasted all of five minutes. She just wanted to know if I could merchandise, what kind of music I liked, and she also asked what I did in my spare time. I told her I read quite a bit and we actually talked more about what books we both liked and read recently than we did about the actual job for the short interview she gave me.

Interview Questions

What type of music do you like? Are you willing to listen to different types of music or have a good knowledge of them to serve our customers?

Negotiation Details

Well there was no negotiation honestly. I was told before I even interviewed for the position that this certain amount was all that they were able to offer and if I would not accept that to not apply.

Other Details

I applied In-Person and the interview consisted of a Phone Interview, a 1:1 Interview and a Background Check.

Helpful Interview?

Yes | No

Inappropriate?

3.0

Average Interview

Overall Neutral Experience

Interviewed and No Offer

Interviewed Aug 2011 (took 3 days)

Showed up in person to turn in my resume. While I didn't expect anyone to notice - after all, Hot Topic is a very sought-after place to work - I was interviewed on the spot by two full-time assistant managers. The first asked me, "Why Hot Topic?" Easy enough. Excellent online employee ratings, great discount, easy-to-adhere-to dress code. "How do you feel about the direction the company has taken?" Also, easy6. They also asked me "What's new in pop culture?" While I thought this was a bit ridiculous, I answered. Both wrote my answers on a small sheet of paper that I imagine was supposed to be hidden from me (personality traits, music tastes, etc.) Had a great 1:1 interview with both. I was then schedule to come back and talk to the store manager. Three days later, I show up with time to spare. The manager took me to the food court for our interview. Began by asking me my availability and my current job. Then started in with the pop culture nonsense again. At no point did the manager ask about my work ethic or previous attendance record. I'm not fifty and wearing khakis. I look like they look, I dress like they dress, but I'm assuming not mentioning Charlie the Unicorn or or Annoying Orange must have cost me. I haven't received a call back. Not sure I'm all that sad.

Interview Questions

"Why Hot Topic?"

"What's new in pop culture?"

Other Details

I applied In-Person and the interview consisted of a 1:1 Interview.

Helpful Interview?

Yes | No

Inappropriate?

3.0

Average Interview

Overall Positive Experience

Received and Accepted Offer

Interviewed Jun 2010 in South Portland, ME (took 2 weeks)

Submitted application, called back a week or so later (they DO NOT like it if you call after a few days, they have stacks of applications to go through on a constant basis), talked to one of the keyholders, he said they didn't need anyone now but they might in a couple weeks, he called back a couple weeks later and offered an interview, I went to meet him and we talked about music and he asked some questions about morals and ethics, it went well so he scheduled a second interview with another keyholder for the next week, I met her and we mostly just chatted about things (I think she was feeling out my personality), that interview went well so they told the manager to hire me and, obviously, I got hired.

Interview Questions

What are your favorite bands?

Negotiation Details

I wasn't able to negotiate anything. The pay is minimum wage to start and they won't go any higher than that. No benefits other than getting a free concert ticket if you fill out a survey at the concert.

Helpful Interview?

Yes | No

Inappropriate?

3.0

Average Interview

Overall Positive Experience

Received and Accepted Offer

Interviewed Dec 2009 in City of Industry, CA (took 2 days)

Don't wear a suit!! To fit into the casual atmosphere, HR told me in advance not to wear a suit and they were right. I wore nice jeans and a t-shirt that I bought at Hot Topic and fit in perfectly. I met with 3 people not including HR and they were all very kind and made me feel comfortable. They are looking for people who have a passion for music - ANY music, not just Hot Topic bands - that can connect with their customer base.

Interview Questions

Why do you want to work for Hot Topic? What kind of music do you listen to? What can you bring to the team?

Negotiation Details

I tried to negotiate but they did not budge on their base salary. They did, however, provide me with a signing bonus and relocation assistance.

Other Details

I Applied Online and the interview consisted of a Phone Interview, a 1:1 Interview and a Background Check.

Helpful Interview?

Yes | No

Inappropriate?

4.0

Difficult Interview

Overall Neutral Experience

Received and Declined Offer

Interviewed Mar 2011 (took 4+ weeks)

was recruited based on the district manager coming into my store. I was in contact for a while, waiting for a position to open up. When a position did, I went on a first interview with two other store managers. The next interview was with the dm, and the last one was with the rm and the dm via phone.

Interview Questions

how would you sell the most you can, to as many as you can.