Hot Topic, Inc.
Hot Topic, Inc. Employee Reviews
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Odds and Ends
Sales Associate (Current Employee) – Richmond, BC – 12 March 2019
While long the day can be rewarding.
Some days it's fast or slow depending on the time of day.
Security tagging, folding clothes, price tagging, answering questions.
Management is nice but I have not met the regional manager yet. Direct bosses are chill.
The store gets odd people a lot but that comes with the territory. However the questions get repetitive after a while.
Not knowing where everything is is one of the hardest parts as we have stuff in different places a lot.
We, as employees, can dance, sing, be odd during work hours as long as it's appropriate.
Some days it's fast or slow depending on the time of day.
Security tagging, folding clothes, price tagging, answering questions.
Management is nice but I have not met the regional manager yet. Direct bosses are chill.
The store gets odd people a lot but that comes with the territory. However the questions get repetitive after a while.
Not knowing where everything is is one of the hardest parts as we have stuff in different places a lot.
We, as employees, can dance, sing, be odd during work hours as long as it's appropriate.
Pros
Good discounts, easy dress code
Cons
Limited hours, weird customers
Great workplace to learn more of pop-culture.
Sales Associate/Cashier (Former Employee) – Calgary, AB – 20 February 2019
I had so much fun working at Hot Topic. Coworkers are people who have similar interests and can help you learn more about certain topics. A typical day is helping customers find their size in clothing, as well as suggesting gifts for a customer's friends or family.
Pros
Good music while you work.
Atmosphere was very welcoming. Caters towards the younger individuals more so.
Retail Sales Associate (Former Employee) – Lethbridge, AB – 13 January 2019
Love the company. Everyone is always so welcoming and happy, you can easily make friends and want to come back the next day, able to find a sort of family that has the same interests as you do.
Pros
Welcoming atmosphere
Cons
Less hours
Fun and Challenging Job!
Assistant Store Manager (Current Employee) – WInnipeg – 27 December 2018
You get you be yourself, but still have the every day challenges that make work exciting, great employers, great management. The flexible work hours make it great to have a good work/life balance.
Amazing place to work
Store Manager (Former Employee) – Barrie, ON – 23 December 2018
I enjoyed working for Hot Topic, the company itself is amazing, the people you meet are just as amazing. Like any other job there will be some people you work with that you may struggle with but overall the company is great.
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
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
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.
Incredible Environment & Workplace
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