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Web: www.hottopic.com | HQ: City of Industry, CA

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Updated May 20, 2012 – Interview questions and reviews posted anonymously by interview candidates.

Difficulty Rating [?] Based on 24 ratings

2.5

“Easy” Interview

Interview Experience [?] Based on 24 ratings

Positive	79%
Neutral	17%
Negative	4%

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21–24 of 24 Hot Topic Interviews

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3.0

Average Interview

Overall Positive Experience

Received and Accepted Offer

Interviewed Oct 2009 in City of Industry, CA (took 2 weeks)

When you walk in it's a complete culture shock. There are no executive offices or "special treatment" to higher ups. They really go out of their way to not be "corporate" which is really refreshing. They treat everyone as equal and all the tables are in open area. There is a Gym with showers and a Stage for Performances about twice a month. And No dress code.

Interview process.
First - Phone Interview with HR,
Second - 1:1 with Manager & 2 Co workers
Third - 1:1 with Manager and Director

They will call your references. They want people who are friendly and easy to get along with. They really want a person who matches their company culture. If there were two people, 1 with poor social skills but great qualifications, and another who had decent qualifications but great social skills, they would pick the 2nd person.

Questions asked:
1: If you won the lotto what would you do
2: Who is your favorite Band
3: Last CD you bought or last concert attended.

Interview Questions

What would you do if you won the lotto tomorrow?

Answer Question

Who is your favorite band, and what is the last CD you bought or last concert you went to.

Answer Question

Negotiation Details

They gave me what I asked for on the application.

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?

2.0

Easy Interview

Overall Positive Experience

Received and Accepted Offer

Interviewed Feb 2008 in City of Industry, CA (took 2 weeks)

It was a culture shock. The environment was very open and music was playing the entire time on overhead speakers and on the TV too. The initial interview took 6 hours and a 2nd interview lasted 2 hours. I was interviewed by 6 different people from the CIO to the people that would be reporting to me.

Interview Questions

There was no hard questions

Answer Question

Negotiation Details

Was able to get a signing bonus and had them pay for cobra until their insurance took affect.

Other Details

I Applied Online and the interview consisted of a Phone Interview, a Group/Panel Interview and a Background Check.

Helpful Interview?

Yes | No

Inappropriate?

4.0

Difficult Interview

Overall Positive Experience

Received and Accepted Offer

Interviewed Nov 2009 (took 3 weeks)

Contacted by email by a recruiter with their interest in me. They may have got my resume from the internet. Monster perhaps. I emailed back expressing that the interest was mutual. Very pleasant conversation for phone screening was small talk. What music did I like? A little bit about myself....etc. Then they will decide if you get a phone interview. With the same person but this one is real interview questions. Strengths, weaknesses. Could I pass a background check, etc. You will know right away concluding this if you will make it further in the process. They will tell you that they are sendinghe your info to a district manager. Within a week you should have a time for a face to face. From there you should know if you have the job but there are several outcomes. You will fill out some background forms and you should expect an offer if you can pass that and a credit check. You may get a second interview if they are on the fence. Or nothing, go brush up on your interviewing skills. Good Luck.

Interview Questions

3 Strengths and 3 weakness. I am usually prepared for one of these, but 3 was difficult mostly for weakness.

View Answers (1)

Negotiation Details

There was no negotiation. They offered me a wage and the position and I accepted it. There is no room for negotiation. It is a firm offer.

Other Details

I got the interview through a Recruiter and the interview consisted of a Phone Interview, a 1:1 Interview and a Background Check.

More Hot Topic Assistant Manager Interviews

Helpful Interview?

Yes | No

Inappropriate?

4.0

Difficult Interview

Overall Positive Experience

Received and Accepted Offer

Interviewed Jun 2007 in Forest Park, GA (took a day)

I first overheard from a customer about the hiring. I immediately applied. After a week, I got a call. During the first interview they had 20 people. They asked a series of questions of customer service and how we would address it if there were problems. Most of all, as each interview progressed, people decreased in numbers. Out of 20, there were 8 left from the interview that got hired. It was difficult.