sales and service technician

data entry clerk

call center representative

business

My day would typically start off with me organizing the DVD section, making sure everything is well balanced in terms of quantity in each shelf and in alphabetical order. I managed the promotions making sure they were easily accessible to the customers. I would greet customers as they passed or entered the store and helped them to locate, order, and pick up products. Sometimes there would be new merchandise coming in and i was tasked with opening them and making sure they were put in the correct place. My main duty was managing stock but I would alternate between apparel, goods and merchandise, and repackaging.

I learned how to navigate the store system, manage sales, help customers using the telephone, and how to manage my time wisely when tasked with multiple duties.

My manager was easy to get along with but was strict about store policy and living up to company guidelines. He helped me to learn the basics of my duties once I started along with the other staff members who welcomed me with open arms.

The hardest part of my job was probably the slow days because I would usually complete everything that needed to be done and with barely any customers to help or disorganize things, I would find my self constantly looking for more work even if that meant checking over everything I did five or six times.

The most enjoyable part of my job was managing the stock, alphabetizing the shelves, problem solving, getting to know the store inside out and assisting the customers in finding what they need.

When I was initially hired, the location (HMV 811, Promenade Mall) was in-between full-time management; the acting manager when my employment was approved was an exceptionally supportive individual who I had a personal relationship with owing to the many years that I was a patron where I began working. Shortly after my time at HMV commenced, head office brought a manager in from outside of the company instead of promoting the acting manager who I had until that point as hierarchically my superior. This new manager had an exceptionally toxic manner about them, speaking negatively about other employees when they weren't around; I can only assume that I was discussed in similarly disparaging terms when I was not present. While I initially worked what I'd deem a healthy amount of hours per week given that I was balancing work with school, as time went on, my scheduled shifts became less and less - by the end, often only four hours a week - despite some staff departures and no additional hires taking place; the cliquish atmosphere of the other employees found its way into modifying the schedule so as to give me no real time on premises, whereupon I quit because it became quite evident that they did not want me there and I wasn't interested in pretending that everything was fine for what eventually amounted to $41 a week.

Did basic stuff like restock shelves, create shelf labels for movies or CDs that needed them, dusting around, various other tasks either by myself or with other coworkers and co-op students. Learned a lot in the few months I was there and the manager was great and fair. I ended up impressing her with how I organized the shelves that she ended up letting me organize her shelves which were DVD's so I thought her recognizing my hard work was great and made me feel positive. The full/part time workers were fun to talk to and would help us out when we had questions and would try to get to know us. Never felt like we were just punching in and out. 

Did have one issue where co-op students were blamed for overstocking shelves in the Blu-Ray section when I fully saw other full/part time employees just forcing movies onto the shelves when it wouldn't fully fit. I wasn't part of that but I did feel like it was kind of bad that they got the full blame for it when it wasn't them that did it entirely. 

Customers are pretty much what you expect. Some are fun and chill while others will think you should know everything and get annoyed when you don't know what genre some musician is for instance. Working in the afternoons or mornings on weekdays were mixed of busy and dead at times. Evenings would get more busier but my shift ended then. 

In all, was a really great experience and I got to be around the store and experience a retail work environment which I wanted.

Unfortunately, the business of selling physical copies of music/movies is going downhill fast. HMV (Hilco) knows this, and instead pumps the stores full of overpriced garbage from China (coffee mugs have lead warnings on them!!) and carries less music & movies than ever before. I started working for them right before Hilco acquired the Canadian stores, and the change has been significant. The profits aren't there anymore, so instead they hire teenagers that won't complain about minimum wage and the cashiers are forced to sell points cards, discount movies, pre-orders, whatever the flavour of the day is, with EACH transaction. There's only a maximum of 3 staff on a shift, with enough work for 10 staff members to finish, but you better get it all done!! I stayed on for 3 years, and met some amazing staff that I continue to be friends with to this day, but that was the only perk. There is no room to advance unless someone ahead of you quits, I was offered a pay increase ONCE, but it was taken away when I chose to go down to part-time, as opposed to a full-time job with little room to grow (pay start was $11.20, ended 3 years later at $10.80). I finally left the company to work for less money, but a more rewarding job. In the end, treating your employees right is what makes your business great, and Hilco/HMV isn't worried about employess, just profits!

A typical a work was for me busier than usual, as I was a seasonal employee. However that being said I can vouch for the staff as everyone was wonderful to work with despite the stressful rush of the season. Also if you hate the terrible repetitive holiday music most establishments play on a lop track, HMV avoids it! i makes sure to keep the music fresh, and is sure to throw in some of the newer, non-holiday hits. A day was normally no more than running transactions, and then  reorganizing and placing merchandise when there were lulls in customer activity. You occasionally have to place customer order, search up merchandise and refer them to other locations, and clean. 

My co-workers were a blast to work with, and the management encouraged healthy competition when it came to being the top employee for the day. They also have rewards for gaining the most new HMV card members. I think one of the hardest parts of the job was that, at my location (55 Bloor st) at least, they only offered a lunch break, no 15's on an 8 hour shift. I was a little annoyed at that, but to be honest I didn't feel like I needed them the majority of the time. The most enjoyable part was probably the music and the interesting co-workers. It was a good job, and I'd work there again.

Typical day involves: Essential job functions: Sales assistance, Sales processing, continual development of product knowledge. Store operation: Marketing displays, ensure best practice stocking standards are followed, ensure store targets and goals are understood, followed, achieved. Safety and security: participate in safeguarding staff, shoppers and product by providing proactive sales assistance. complying with established security practice etc. General operations/Administrative: task coordination, daily paperwork, other duties which may include: assigned specific responsibilities for returns, set ups, purchasing, administration, receiving and shipping, instruction of junior staff, housekeeping.

Most enjoyable part of job is dealing with customers, ensuring each individual receives the highest standard of customer care. Very rewarding to make someones day better. Hardest part of job is keeping all staff focused on tasks at hand as well providing excellent customer service.

Until the company went into administration, my role was more varied and with a high level of responsibility.  My typical day included
- stock taking
- using CCTV
- deterring and arresting criminals, 
- writing statements and liaising with local authority services following an arrest
- investigating loss
I learned many skills with regard to security work and loss prevention, and also developed my customer interaction skills.
Since being made redundant, I have maintained contact with several of my co-workers, with whom I have developed a good relationship with over my time working with them.
The most difficult aspect of my role was ensuring all rules were adhered to, to avoid putting myself or others in a potentially threatening situation - something I took pride.  The most enjoyable part of my job was when investigations came to a successful conclusion.

As operations manager to the flagship store of the biggest music retailer in western Canada, this job was a dream come true. I oversaw all of the shipping/receiving, buying and inventory control in is two story juggernaut located as an anchor to the worlds largest indoor shopping center, West Edmonton Mall. My staff were always fun and energetic, and I believe the support and leadership I provided them with helped them complete their tasks in a timely manner with a very small margin of error. Besides my staff, the best part would have to be my weekly meetings with the record company reps and partnering with the floor staff and supervisors to get buzz going on new releases and predicting what would be a big seller. I truly loved this job, and only left because I had a once in a lifetime opportunity that moved me from northern Alberta, Canada to Los Angeles.

It was a wonderful place to work. Being able to order in music and videos for clients always brought a smile to my face, especially when I could call them and tell them their order arrived. Management made working for the company a grand experience, always taking the time to point out an employee's achievements and give praise for hard work, while at the same time taking the time to go over one's weaknesses and how they could best improve on them. Rarely is discipline ever needed. The HMV points system was slightly flawed and there was great dislike to push customers into signing up for something that barely had any benefits to anyone but the most frequent of shoppers who spent over $100 dollars every day they visited. But there was always something new to learn, something exciting to come into the store, something new to promote, and it was always a thrill to see a smile on a customer's face when they got what they needed.

A typical day at work consisted of reporting in with management regarding my daily duties and preforming said duties. I did a bit of everything at the store. Some days would be spent as a cashier, others in the back of store handling shipments, but most were spent helping people find exactly what they were looking for.

Management was kind and patient. They were very approachable knowledgeable when any issues had arisen. Co-workers followed a similar vein, they and I got along famously.

Hardest part of the job was definitely learning to use the cash register and to up-sell at the desk. It was my first time learning these two skills in earnest, and is definitely what I learned the most from my time there.

Easiest part of the job was getting along with everyone, both co-workers and customers alike. Helping folks out, and sharing a few laughs with everyone? That was the best part.

Top Job Titles	Average salary
Sales and service technician 1 salary reported	$5,000 per month
Data entry clerk 1 salary reported	$295 per day
Call center representative 1 salary reported	$18.90 per hour
Business 1 salary reported	$4,500 per month

Working at HMV: company overview and reviews

HMV

HMV ratings

Popular jobs at HMV

Salary satisfaction

Job seeker tools

Employer Tools

Browse

Stay Connected