Hot Topic, Inc.
Hot Topic, Inc. Employee Reviews
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Fun, Relaxed Work Environment
Key Holder (Current Employee) – Kitchener, ON – 3 September 2018
A typical day at Hot Topic starts on the sales floor, where the customer comes first. Selling on the floor takes priority over selling at the registers, however selling at the registers is always encouraged. You help customers, and/or ring customers through, while keeping the store clean. There are often tasks to complete during the day, such as mark downs or stock. I learned a lot at this job, both about pop culture and the work environment. I learned the most efficient way to keep stores clean, how to put away stock quickly and effectively, how to prevent customer theft using customer service skills (a huge thing with the company is prevention before apprehension), how to tailor each experience with each individual customer, etc. You meet so many people through Hot Topic, people of all ages and cultures, likes and dislikes. For the most part, management is excellent. They are understanding and good at their jobs but occasionally make mistakes with things like scheduling. The workplace culture is excellent, Hot Topic employees are a very friendly group. The workplace isn't clique-y, and most people have similar or the same interests. It makes it better to work with people who love different things, for example if a customer asks a question pertaining to anime I can easily refer them to a different employee who knows a lot about anime. The hardest part of the job is the frequency of which they change promotions and change the way the store looks. The most enjoyable part of the job is getting paid to talk about the things you love with other people who love them.
Pros
Discount, Hours are flexible
Cons
Not A Lot of Hours
its fun but has to many weird company policy
Part Time- Assistant manger (Former Employee) – Vancouver, BC – 21 September 2018
It was a fun company and product but they have to many weird policy's. not so great if you want to work 2 jobs at the same time. too many weird rules that they run there company.
Pros
great product
Cons
not enough hours, weird policy's
Management is a disaster
Sales Associate (Former Employee) – Calgary, AB – 17 August 2018
I was so torn about leaving Hot Topic. I absolutely loved the customers & culture, but management was an absolute disaster. If they didnt like you they would write you up and give a verbal for the smallest things (ie: not walking fast enough) & make your life and job seem so disposable. There were multiple times that I went home from work crying because management took their problems out on me by doing things such as yelling at me in front of customers, questioning my intelligence, & just generally being rude. Some stores may have better management than the one I worked at, but I think the corporation as a whole creates these absolute monsters. My store had a revolving door of new employees because so many quit (management being the largest area of movement). I wanted to love this job so much but the bipolarity and childishness of management was too much for me to handle.
Pros
great culture
Cons
management, work & life balance
Nice environment
Sales Associate (Former Employee) – Ottawa, ON – 10 July 2018
I enjoyed my time at hot topic, most of the staff was kind and hard working. communication was lacking though. my favourite part of the job was meeting new faces everyday and bonding over topics with customers.
Pros
discounts
Cons
Expensive
Best retail experience you could have
Sales Associate/Cashier (Current Employee) – Burnaby, BC – 28 June 2018
Hot Topic is a great environment! I’ve worked here for almost 2 years part-time and I have yet to be disappointed. The staff are fantastic, everyone is so easy to talk to and connect with. Customers are great for the most part, and we’re highly encouraged to start conversations about our shared interests with them. It’s a simple but fun job.
They only offer part-time hours for non-managers, which is the head office’s policy, so I can’t complain. It always works out for me personally.
My one nitpick is managment should rework how they train new staff. I was only taught how to fold a shirt and nothing else, I had to learn everything as I went along which was a little stressful, especially when I first got put on the cash register. I still learn new things to this day that I probably should already know but haven’t been taught.
Overall I’m glad I get to work here, and I see myself being here for a long time.
They only offer part-time hours for non-managers, which is the head office’s policy, so I can’t complain. It always works out for me personally.
My one nitpick is managment should rework how they train new staff. I was only taught how to fold a shirt and nothing else, I had to learn everything as I went along which was a little stressful, especially when I first got put on the cash register. I still learn new things to this day that I probably should already know but haven’t been taught.
Overall I’m glad I get to work here, and I see myself being here for a long time.
Pros
great atmosphere, 40% discount, flexible scheduling
Cons
occasional rude customers, poor training
Fun and great work
SALES ASSOCIATE/BREAKER (Former Employee) – Edmonton, AB – 9 May 2018
Its a great place to get along with employees and customers a like. they are good with making sure your work schedule doesn't convey into your life schedule. if you are into pop culture and enjoy working but having a good time, this is the place for you
Incredibly Scrict, Outdated
Key Holder (Former Employee) – Calgary, AB – 7 May 2018
The till system is completely outdated and as long as the higher ups just think you are cool, you’re good. Myself and many of my associates and fellow managers agree that we are afraid we will do something somewhat wrong and will be terminated because of the company’s strict policies. If you are a collector, sure your discount brings the price of Funko’s down but if you so little as trade with a fellow collector, you will be terminated as they have secret members in Facebook groups. Sales associates are written up if their till is off so little as 5 cents. The job is fairly easy if you are a sales associate but you hardly have hours if you are and only the store manager and assistant get more than 30.
Pros
Customers, Pop Culture Aspect
Cons
Pay, Policies, Windows 98 System
Good high school job
Key Holder (Former Employee) – Ottawa, ON – 27 April 2018
This job is good if you are in highschool or if you need a job while in college. This job would not be good for someone who is wanting to move up in the company. They make it hard to move up to management.
Fun outgoing staff
Sales Associate (Former Employee) – Mississauga, ON – 24 April 2018
My time spent at hot topic only came to an end due to a management issue. In which I was going to HR about. I absolutely loved my job with the company and would go back in a heartbeat
Pros
Its like a family
Cons
Not always nice management
People are good, money is bad.
Sales Associate (Current Employee) – Toronto, ON – 6 March 2018
One shift a week that is 3hrs if you arent a long time sales associate. Terrible security, Company never makes enough money to give you any shifts. Not really any benefits. Bad job.
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Stock Person (Current Employee) – Moncton, NB – 26 February 2018
Hot Topic is the greatest place, retail wise that ive worked at so far. Its a great upbeat workplace that I love to call myself a part of and I am proud to call it my current workplace.
Valued experience.
Keyholder/Supervisor (Former Employee) – Burnaby, BC – 7 February 2018
I valued the fun and positive environment at Hot Topic, I learned a lot about team work and how to preform manage multiple tasks under high stress situations.
Pros
Flexible schedule, Employee purchase benefits, Good music
Cons
Little hours
Overall a pretty fun environment and worth it if you are just looking for a second job or in school.
Sales Associate (Former Employee) – Calgary, AB – 7 February 2018
Working for Hot Topic was by far my favorite job. I met so many great people within the company, and a majority had the same interests so it was very easy getting along with my co-workers. Not only that, but the customers were always so nice and it wasn't really a stressful environment. However, the hours were so bad! you would be lucky if they even gave you a shift some weeks and if you did you would get a range from 3-6 (but this also depends on the traffic of the mall). Issue is that its way too over-staffed, and they can't hand out all the hours to everyone. Not only that, but it's impossible to move up in the company. If you're a sales associate and you want to move up, good luck. With all that said though, I definitely do recommend this job to people who aren't really looking for a lot of hours, and who are in school. Regardless of the bad hours, it still is a very awesome place to work and you will meet some of the coolest people there, so if the hours work for you, go for it!
Pros
fun environment, great/ loyal customers, awesome discount, amazing staff
Cons
no hours, very difficult to move up
Great place to work, but there’s always room for improvement
Sales Associate (Current Employee) – Hamilton, ON – 3 February 2018
My time at Hottopic has been over all an amazing experience, friendly staff and customers. Hottopic is an extremely excepting environment, and a fun easy going place to work. Hours can be rough but that’s retail. Over all a good experience.
Pros
Great staff, positive environment
Cons
Minimal hours
Not the best topic
Sales Associate (Former Employee) – Eaton Centre – 31 January 2018
This place is beyond help almost, the systems are so out of date it takes almost ten minutes to even cash out one person. It's impossible to find anything in the stock room and the floor is so cluttered that it makes trying to clean it at night next to impossible. I don't know how people do it.
Fun job, no chance for advancement.
customer service (Former Employee) – Toronto, ON – 21 January 2018
It was a fun job, first location I worked at was amazing. Staff was very compassionate and caring. Breaks every four hours and lunch after five hours. Management at second location was not nearly as friendly but it was still a decent work place. Best part of working was meeting others who enjoy great music. Hardest part of the job was when the store got too busy to be allowed to go on break.
Pros
Employee Discount
Cons
Poor Management
Productive and Fun work Place
Sales Associate (Former Employee) – Ottawa, ON – 9 January 2018
Hot Topic was a great place to work it really helped me come out of my shell. Working there was a lot of fun, great co workers, great management, customers are very friendly.
Fun and Inviting!
Sales Associate (Former Employee) – Calgary, AB – 30 December 2017
The people there are awesome. Happy and friendly environment. great discount. The only downside was there wasnt a lot of hours being given out. Great work for part time!
Pros
Staff, Discount, Environment
Cons
Hours
More like a work family
Sales/impact Associate (Former Employee) – London, ON – 29 December 2017
Loved working here and still like to come back and visit. The workplace finds a good balance between friendship and being a workplace. Lots of jokes and good vibes but also lots of helping customers and maintaining the store
Pros
Flexible hours, understanding management
Cons
Retail work