Pros
The company is pretty relaxed when it comes to dress code and individual expression. Not only that, but from my experience, the company is very LGTBQIA+ friendly. I was never uncomfortable being out as a trans person at the company.
Kontras
Hot Topic is clearly a corporation that's bottom line is making profits. Their starting wage is well below a living wage but also a couple dollars below industry standard for a retail job. While I was at Hot Topic managers were quitting left and right due to the job being so much work for such little pay. This made the experience as an associate difficulty when there was stable or consistent management. I feel like because Hot Topic boasts itself as a fun and cool place to work they don't think they need to hire their wages.