Does anyone happen to work at Hot Topic?

[mystic_peacock]

Does anyone here work at a Hot Topic store, or has interviewed for a job with them?

I applied to be a Sales Associate at the Hot Topic in my mall today. On their website they say that knowledge of current bands is important, but never have I been in a Hot Topic where they are avidly telling customers about bands or doing anything about music other than selling music-related Tshirts.

What I want to know is this: Are they going to quiz me about current bands in my interview or something?

I really want this job and I am willing to listen to the "hot" music right now in order to get it... but I wanted to see if anyone on the board works there and could tell me what I would need to know.

Or maybe I just need to let them know I'd be a good worker.

Meh!
Thanks!

Serra

[Chibi-Fallon]

Probably not. I think it's a nice way of saying you have to look the part.

[IvyWitch]

o.0

That's a little weird considering there has been a different type of music being played in almost every Hot Topic I have been in. And most of the time the bands aren't "current" or even popular.....most of it is underground stuff or bands that only fans of that style of music would like.

[Kalandriel]

Probably not. I think it's a nice way of saying you have to look the part.

Yeah, that's what I think too. Just look slightly goth/punkish, and be willing to work, and be friendly. Good luck with the interview! :)

[Flaire-FireStar]

Well that's up to interpretation. Your "hot" music could be different from someone else's depending on taste. :wtf: For example, person A could be into Britney, Christina & other bubblegum pop, which is hot (or at least I see them on TV enough to make me think that way, not that I listen to the pop charts) and person B could be into Green Day, Simple Plan and those nu-punk bands.

You know what I mean anyway. heh.

If there were a Hot Topic here, I'd go againsed everything I stand for and apply with having no knowledge of current music, just to see how I stood up againsed other people. :hmmmmm:

[Childof_theMorrigan]

fyi - they do quiz you on certain music in the interview and it's not well known stuff...

i only know this because one of my friends applied just recently

[luna rising]

Just read up on your screamo, your goth, and your metal. You'll be fine.

HIM is big, NIN, My Chemical Romance. Maybe you could go in and peep at the band shirts they have most prominently displayed and take a cue from that.

Good luck either way. Can I use your discount? ;)

[Pagan Mantis]

I don't work there, but I bought my "I only date crack whores" hat from there. Good luck on the interview!

[donatello51]

I would say if you've a well rounded music collection they your a good candidadte for the job. I've gone in to several hot topic stores and bought old Ozzy t-shirts a few Manson shirts... the occassional Green Day shirt... a Garth Brooks T-shirt... an Elvis lives t-shirt all in one or two weeks and go no odd looks from anyone in the store. I'm 53 and a roady for a local band I work at a tech company making computer chips and so I've very much the geeky guy at work. So I don't think its all about if you up on the current hot tunes for this week. I would say if you have some sense of style a bit of music savvy and a good attitude your in for the job. :cheers:

[MalPixie]

I would think that it would be strange for them to test you on something like that, but who knows. You would think that they would have training on things if you had to know them although I have been in that store so many times and I have not seen people asking all that many questions on that stuff. I go shopping in that store to get things that I can't anywhere else and I'm sure that is what most people do. I don't know But Good Luck!! I hope you get the job! :deviltail

[halfwaynowhere]

well, Hot Topic is supposed to be all about the music, so if you have any knowledge of music, new or classic, you should be good, people who listen to all sorts of music shop there, my friend buys her underground-type industrial music there, while i just go to drool over the johnny depp merchandise on display each week... i think confidence is a big factor, and i don't think you should goth out for your interview, i think you should dress proffessional with a twist, because i think that shows that you will take the job seriously, but that you also fit the part... good luck, it should be a fun experience.

[mystic_peacock]

Thank you all for your posts!!

I already look the part... I have striped red and black hair and wear their merchandise on a pretty regular basis. If they call me for an interview I'm going to dress in a black skirt, gray shirt, but have on a Dring belt that I got from the store.

As for music... One guy said that they do quiz. I'm wondering if I'll be okay anyway, because I listen to underground stuff, some of which is in the store... Alexisonfire, My Chemical Romance (not really underground anymore), Coheed and Cambria, Cursive... that kind of thing. Also I know some of the names of other bands that I might be able to drop even if I don't know much about it.

I hope I hope I HOPE I get called for an interview, and that if I do, I hope I get the job :)

Thanks for all of your advice!
--Serra

[Chibi-Fallon]

my friend buys her underground-type industrial music there,

If it's at Hot Topic it's no longer underground. :nuhuh:


But come on, it's Hot Topic. You know what they want. They want you to come in there share some a piece of crappy poetry then excuse yourself to the bathroom to cut yourself. They want you to fit into their cookie-cutter "I'm not a cookie-cutter like the rest of you!" thing.

[Gypsy flower]

As with any job {and I do mean any} you have to look and play the part! You wouldnt apply for a job in a law office dressed like a goth punk.. :bat: Yes the ones at Hot topic are extreme and slightly...scarey but if that is what you like go for it,
as for the test thing I applied for a job as a clerk in a new age bookstore and I had to take a test on Authors...Rough one, I failed needless to say I didnt get the job, tests are important if you get alot of questions on the matters, I would rather know what Im talking about then appear stupid.. so bottom line nothing is wrong with testing.. the employers know what they want and what they are looking for

[aluokaloo]

Well they promote alot of bands, the one where I am at, even promotes new/local bands. That may be why.