Hot Topic Sales Associate Interview Questions & Reviews
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Updated May 20, 2012 – Interview questions and reviews posted anonymously by interview candidates.
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Difficulty Rating [?] Based on 9 ratings 
“Easy” Interview
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Interview Experience [?] Based on 9 ratings
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| 1–9 of 9 Hot Topic Interviews | Sort by |
Sales Associate at Hot Topic
Posted May 20, 2012
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3.0
Average Interview
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Overall Positive Experience
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Interviewed and No Offer
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Interviewed Jul 2010 (took a day)
You must really know about current pop-culture to even get considered for the job. The manager and supervisor were very friendly and asked questions like, "How would you describe your dressing style? What kind of music do you listen to? How would you help customers at the store that aren't sure of what they want?" I was in a group interview, so obviously the more you stand out, the better chances you will have of getting a second interview.
Interview Questions
Other Details
I applied In-Person and the interview consisted of a Group/Panel Interview.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Sales Associate at Hot Topic
Posted Feb 24, 2012
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2.0
Easy Interview
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Overall Neutral Experience
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Interviewed and No Offer
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Interviewed May 2011 in San Diego, CA (took a day)
It was a group interview. Five people, including myself, were interviewed all together. The manager and the supervisor were there asking questions. Such as, "What was the last movie you've seen?", "Do you use sites like Youtube, Tumblr, and Facebook?", "What does good customer service mean to you?", "What's your favorite band?" and other such things. Most questions related to your knowledge on current pop culture.
Interview Questions
Other Details
I applied In-Person and the interview consisted of a Group/Panel Interview.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Sales Associate at Hot Topic
Posted Nov 22, 2011
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2.0
Easy Interview
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Overall Positive Experience
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Received and Accepted Offer
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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
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Sales Associate at Hot Topic
Posted Sep 30, 2011
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1.0
Very Easy Interview
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Overall Positive Experience
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Received and Accepted Offer
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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
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?
Sales Associate at Hot Topic
Posted Aug 24, 2011
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3.0
Average Interview
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Overall Neutral Experience
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Interviewed and No Offer
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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.
Other Details
I applied In-Person and the interview consisted of a 1:1 Interview.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Sales Associate at Hot Topic
Posted Jul 20, 2011
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3.0
Average Interview
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Overall Positive Experience
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Received and Accepted Offer
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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
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?
Sales Associate at Hot Topic
Posted Mar 8, 2011 — 2 of 2 people found this helpful
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2.0
Easy Interview
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Overall Positive Experience
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Received and Accepted Offer
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Interviewed Mar 2011 (took 2 weeks)
I printed off my application online, and went to the store to give it to the manager in person. She was very friendly, looked over my application, and told me that she'd make sure it was read over. About a week later I got a call asking when I could come in for an interview.
The day of, a manager and I went to the food court (which is not uncommon at all) for the interview. She was very friendly, and most of my nervousness went away after the first five minutes. The questions were pretty standard and for the most part, easy. There were a lot of hypothetical situations like "What would you do if you saw an employee stealing?", and "How would you start up a conversation with a customer?" She also asked me a lot about what kinds of music I liked and how I stayed up-to-date with pop culture.
After the interview, she said that I'd be really good, and told me I should expect a call the next day. I'm only 15, so I was extremely excited.
I went directly from the interview to sit with my friends who were waiting for me, and about ten minutes later, the main manager came up to me and asked if I could stop back in the store when I wasn't busy. She hunted me down to ask me, I was shocked.
So I went back in and they offered me the job, only fifteen minutes after the interview. It was fantastic.
They were both really friendly and made me feel at ease. Overall, a fantastic experience.
Some Advice:
Be ready for questions such as "What was the best/worst customer service you've ever recieved?" or "What was the last movie you saw in theatres?" Prepare some responses in advance, because I was unprepared and stumbled a lot trying to think of a good example.
The hypothetical situations are just common sense. For the "What would you do if you saw an employee stealing?", I said I would alert a higher manager, or if there was any specific protocol, I'd follow that. Since I've never worked in retail (or any other job), mentioning the part about the protocol helped me cover up, since I really didn't know WHAT you were supposed to do. So don't get too hung up on those.
Try and start a conversation. If they ask your favorite band, tell them and mention how they have a fantastic live show or something like that. Say something about the band if they're wearing a band tee (which they often are.) The girl who interviewed me had on a Star Wars shirt, and I happen to love those movies so we got in a discussion about that.
Be yourself. Don't be stuck up. Be energetic, talkative, and you'll get the job.
Interview Questions
Other Details
The interview consisted of a 1:1 Interview.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Sales Associate at Hot Topic
Posted Jun 12, 2010
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2.0
Easy Interview
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Overall Positive Experience
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Received and Accepted Offer
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Interviewed Jul 2008 in Annapolis, MD (took a day)
The assistant manager took me to another area of the mall to perform the interview. It was fairly basic. A lot of the questions were similar to the application i.e. what kind of music do you like, where do you hear about new music, what can you bring to the table, etc. I knew another employee there, that's most likely how I got an interview. They get a least a couple of applications everyday, you wouldn't think it would be that competitive but I suppose it is. I just wore jeans and a tshirt to the interview; the dress code for the job is very lax anyway. Advice I'd say is just be confident and outgoing.
Interview Questions
Other Details
I applied In-Person and the interview consisted of a 1:1 Interview.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Sales Associate at Hot Topic
Posted Feb 20, 2010
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3.0
Average Interview
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Overall Positive Experience
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Interviewed and No Offer
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Interviewed Mar 2008 (took 2 weeks)
Turned in application called not long after then had a standard interview
Interview Questions
Other Details
I Applied Online.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
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