<Page>
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                                 UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                            ------------------------

                                   FORM 10-Q

(MARK ONE)

<Table>
<C>        <S>
   /X/     QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
           SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
</Table>

                 FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED: JUNE 30, 2001
                                       OR

<Table>
<C>        <S>
   / /     TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
           SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
</Table>

        FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM ______________ TO ______________

                        COMMISSION FILE NUMBER: 0-20735

                            ------------------------

                                 WEBHIRE, INC.

             (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

<Table>
<S>                                            <C>
               DELAWARE                                     04-2935271
    (State or other jurisdiction of             (IRS Employer Identification No.)
    incorporation or organization)

          91 HARTWELL AVENUE                                  02421
             LEXINGTON, MA                                  (zip code)
    (Address of principal executive
               offices)
</Table>

                                 (781) 869-5000
                        (Registrant's telephone number)

                            ------------------------

    Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding 12 months (or such shorter period that the Registrant
was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days.

                                  Yes /X/  No / /

    Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of
common stock as of the latest practicable date:

                                TITLE OF EACH CLASS

        Common stock, $.01 par value, shares outstanding at August 14, 2001:
                               4,510,675 shares.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<Page>
                                 WEBHIRE, INC.
                                     INDEX

PART I--FINANCIAL INFORMATION

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                                        PAGE
                                                                        ----
<S>       <C>                                                           <C>
Item 1.   Consolidated Financial Statements

          Consolidated Balance Sheets at June 30, 2001 (unaudited) and
          September 30, 2000..........................................     3

          Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited) for the
          three and nine months ended June 30, 2001 and June 30,
          2000........................................................     4

          Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited) for the
          nine months ended June 30, 2001 and June 30, 2000...........     5

          Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)......     6

Item 2.   Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
          and Results of Operations...................................    11

Item 3.   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk...    21

PART II--OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.   Legal Proceedings...........................................    22

Item 2.   Changes in Securities and Use of Proceeds...................    22

Item 3.   Defaults upon Senior Securities.............................    22

Item 4.   Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.........    22

Item 5.   Other Information...........................................    22

Item 6.   Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K............................    22

PART III--SIGNATURES..................................................    23
</Table>

                                       2
<Page>
PART I--FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                                 WEBHIRE, INC.

                          CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

                      (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AMOUNTS)

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                               JUNE 30,     SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                                 2001           2000
                                                              -----------   -------------
                                                              (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                                           <C>           <C>
                           ASSETS
Current Assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents.................................    $ 6,105        $12,135
  Short-term investments....................................      1,452          2,410
  Accounts and installments receivable, less allowance for
    doubtful accounts of $1,438 and $1,587 at June 30, 2001
    and September 30, 2000, respectively....................        927          4,772
  Prepaid income taxes......................................          5             --
  Other current assets......................................      1,693          1,684
                                                                -------        -------
      Total current assets..................................     10,182         21,001
Long-term installments receivable, net......................         86            153
Property and equipment, net.................................      2,983          4,248
Long-term investments.......................................        262             --
Acquired technologies, net of accumulated amortization of
  $18,499 and $15,909 at June 30, 2001 and September 30,
  2000, respectively........................................        999          3,589
Intangible assets and goodwill, net of accumulated
  amortization of $3,383 and $1,748 at June 30, 2001 and
  September 30, 2000, respectively..........................      3,168          4,803
Other assets................................................        398            509
                                                                -------        -------
      TOTAL ASSETS..........................................    $18,078        $34,303
                                                                =======        =======
            LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current Liabilities:
  Current portion of capital lease obligations..............    $   254        $   254
  Convertible notes payable.................................        300          3,425
  Notes payable--bank.......................................      1,500             --
  Accounts payable..........................................      1,551          1,504
  Accrued expenses..........................................      1,543          4,502
  Deferred revenue..........................................      5,642          8,145
                                                                -------        -------
      Total current liabilities.............................     10,790         17,830
                                                                -------        -------
Other liabilities...........................................        159            176
                                                                -------        -------
Stockholders' Equity:
  Preferred stock, $.01 par value--Authorized--5,000,000
    shares, Issued and outstanding--none at June 30, 2001
    and September 30, 2000..................................         --             --
  Common stock, $.01 par value--Authorized--30,000,000
    shares, Issued--4,648,055 and 3,872,474 shares at June
    30, 2001 and September 30, 2000, respectively,
    Outstanding--4,510,675 and 4,284,614 shares at June 30,
    2001 and September 30, 2000, respectively...............         46             44
Additional paid-in capital..................................     70,192         68,940
Treasury stock, at cost--137,380 shares.....................       (831)          (831)
Accumulated deficit.........................................    (62,278)       (51,856)
                                                                -------        -------
      Total stockholders' equity............................      7,129         16,297
                                                                -------        -------
      TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY............    $18,078        $34,303
                                                                =======        =======
</Table>

  THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THESE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
                             STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

                                       3
<Page>
                                 WEBHIRE, INC.

                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

               (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

                                  (UNAUDITED)

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                     THREE MONTHS ENDED       NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                          JUNE 30,                JUNE 30,
                                                    ---------------------   ---------------------
                                                      2001        2000        2001        2000
                                                    ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------
<S>                                                 <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
Revenue:
  Services revenue--Internet......................  $   3,062   $   2,796   $   9,680   $   6,912
  Services revenue--Enterprise....................      1,677       2,601       5,985       8,476
  Product revenue.................................        530         391       1,325       3,176
                                                    ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------
      Total revenue...............................      5,269       5,788      16,990      18,564
                                                    ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------
Cost of Revenue:
  Services revenue--Internet......................      2,231       2,918       7,543       7,478
  Services revenue--Enterprise....................        320         883       1,101       3,079
  Product revenue.................................         91         369         310         884
  Amortization of acquired technologies...........        438       2,352       2,590       6,915
  Non cash write-off of other assets..............         --         284          --         284
                                                    ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------
      Total cost of revenue.......................      3,080       6,806      11,544      18,640
                                                    ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------
Gross profit......................................      2,189      (1,018)      5,446         (76)
                                                    ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------
Operating Expenses:
  Research and development........................      1,346       2,955       5,430       9,298
  Sales and marketing.............................      1,754       3,019       5,851      10,004
  General and administrative......................        426       1,974       3,459       5,386
  Non cash write-off of other assets..............         --       1,000          --       1,000
  Amortization of intangible assets...............        545         545       1,636       1,203
  Amortization of stock-based consideration.......         --      (1,723)         --          11
                                                    ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------
      Total operating expenses....................      4,071       7,770      16,376      26,902
                                                    ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------
Loss from operations..............................     (1,882)     (8,788)    (10,930)    (26,978)
                                                    ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------
Loss from equity-method investments...............         --          (5)         --          (5)
                                                    ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------
Other Income (Expense):
  Non-cash interest on warrants issued............         --          --        (309)         --
  Other income, net...............................         46          42         747         420
                                                    ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------
      Total other income..........................         46          42         438         420
                                                    ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------
Loss before benefit for income taxes..............     (1,836)     (8,751)    (10,492)    (26,563)
(Benefit) provision for income taxes..............        (69)      1,165         (69)      1,165
Net loss..........................................  $  (1,767)  $  (9,916)  $ (10,423)  $ (27,728)
                                                    =========   =========   =========   =========
Basic and diluted net loss per common share.......  $    (.39)  $   (3.39)  $   (2.35)  $   (9.54)
                                                    =========   =========   =========   =========
Basic and diluted weighted average number of
  common shares outstanding.......................  4,510,624   2,921,126   4,435,419   2,907,597
                                                    =========   =========   =========   =========
</Table>

  THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THESE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
                             STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

                                       4
<Page>
                                 WEBHIRE, INC.

                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

                                 (IN THOUSANDS)

                                  (UNAUDITED)

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                               NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                                   JUNE 30,
                                                              -------------------
                                                                2001       2000
                                                              --------   --------
<S>                                                           <C>        <C>
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:

  Net loss..................................................  $(10,423)  $(27,728)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in
  operating activities--
  Depreciation and amortization.............................     5,724     10,115
  Amortization of stock-based consideration.................       309         11
  Non-cash write-off of other assets........................        --      1,284
  Deferred income taxes, net................................        --      1,068
  Deferred rent.............................................        --        (47)
  Gain on sale of assets....................................      (120)        --
  Changes in assets and liabilities--
    Accounts and installments receivable....................     3,845     (1,111)
    Other current assets....................................        (9)      (487)
    Prepaid income taxes....................................        (5)        --
    Refundable income taxes.................................        --        299
    Long-term installments receivable.......................        67        269
    Accounts payable........................................        47       (310)
    Accrued expenses........................................    (2,960)       (76)
    Deferred revenue........................................    (2,502)     2,833
    Other liabilities.......................................       (18)        --
                                                              --------   --------
      Net cash used in operating activities.................    (6,045)   (13,880)
                                                              --------   --------
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
  Purchases of acquired technologies and intangible
    assets..................................................    (3,125)    (1,570)
  Purchases of property and equipment.......................      (335)    (2,086)
  Proceeds from sale of assets..............................       223         --
  Purchases of short- and long-term investments.............   (24,370)   (15,000)
  Proceeds from sale and maturity of short- and long-term
    investments.............................................    25,066     12,971
  Other assets..............................................       111        114
                                                              --------   --------
      Net cash used in investing activities.................    (2,430)    (5,571)
                                                              --------   --------
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
  Proceeds from line of credit..............................     1,500         --
  Proceeds from issuance of common stock in connection with
    private placement.......................................     1,000         --
  Issuance costs in connection with private placement from
    common Stock............................................      (122)       (57)
  Proceeds from employee stock purchase plan stock
    issuance................................................        67        174
  Proceeds from exercise of common stock options............        --        771
  Payments of capital lease obligations.....................        --       (446)
                                                              --------   --------
      Net cash provided by financing activities.............     2,445        442
                                                              --------   --------
Net decrease in Cash and Cash Equivalents...................    (6,030)   (19,009)
Cash and Cash Equivalents, beginning of period..............    12,135     20,126
                                                              --------   --------
Cash and Cash Equivalents, end of period....................  $  6,105   $  1,117
                                                              ========   ========
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information:
  Cash paid during the period for
    Interest................................................  $    226   $    123
                                                              --------   --------
    Income taxes............................................  $     18   $     15
                                                              --------   --------
Supplemental Disclosure of Noncash Financing Activities:
  Issuance of warrants and non-cash interest expense in
    connection with financing commitment....................  $    309   $     --
                                                              --------   --------
</Table>

  THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THESE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
                             STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

                                       5
<Page>
                                 WEBHIRE, INC.

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                                  (UNAUDITED)

                                 JUNE 30, 2001

(1) ACCOUNTING POLICIES

    (A) BASIS OF PRESENTATION

    The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of
Webhire, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries (collectively, the "Company").
All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.

    (B) PREPARATION OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

    As permitted by the rules of the Securities Exchange Commission applicable
to Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, these notes are condensed and do not contain
all disclosures required by generally accepted accounting principles.

    The consolidated interim financial statements as of June 30, 2001 and 2000
and for the three and nine-month periods ended June 30, 2001 and 2000 are
unaudited; however, in the opinion of the Company's management, the interim data
include all adjustments, consisting only of recurring adjustments, necessary for
a fair statement of the results for the interim period. The results for the
interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results for the entire
year. The consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with
the consolidated financial statements of Webhire, Inc. for the year ended
September 30, 2000 ("Fiscal 2000") included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K,
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

    (C) SHORT- AND LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS

    The Company classifies its short- and long-term investments as
available-for-sale. At June 30, 2001 and September 30, 2000 the Company had $1.7
million and $2.4 million available-for-sale investments. Realized and unrealized
gains and losses for the periods presented were not material.

    (D) RECENT ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

    In July 2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued
Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (SFAS) No. 141, BUSINESS
COMBINATIONS. SFAS No. 141 is effective for all business combinations initiated
after June 30, 2001 and for all business combinations accounted for by the
purchase method for which the date of acquisition is after June 30, 2001. SFAS
No. 141 requires that all business combinations be accounted for under the
purchase method and that certain acquired intangible assets in a business
combination be recognized as assets apart from goodwill. The Company does not
expect SFAS No. 141 to have an impact on the Company's financial statements.

    In July 2001, the FASB also issued SFAS No. 142, GOODWILL AND OTHER
INTANGIBLE ASSETS. SFAS No. 142 establishes new guidance on accounting for
goodwill and other intangible assets. In addition, companies will be required to
review goodwill and intangible assets reported in connection with prior
acquisitions, possibly disaggregate and report separately previously identified
intangible assets, and possibly reclassify certain intangible assets into
goodwill. The Company expects to implement SFAS No. 142 at its earliest
allowable adoption date, October 1, 2001. Upon adoption, existing goodwill will
no longer be amortized, but instead will be assessed for impairment at least as
often as annually.

                                       6
<Page>
                                 WEBHIRE, INC.

             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

                                  (UNAUDITED)

                                 JUNE 30, 2001

Goodwill resulting from acquisitions initiated after June 30, 2001, will be
immediately subject to the nonamortization provisions of SFAS No. 142. Goodwill
amortization for the nine months ended June 30, 2001 was $1.6 million. The
Company is currently assessing the impact of this new standard.

(2) STOCK SPLIT

    On May 17, 2001, the stockholders of the Company approved an amendment to
the Company's Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to effect
a 1-for-5 reverse split of the shares of the Company's common stock (the
"Existing Common"). The reverse split became effective as of 9:00 a.m. on
June 18, 2001. No fractional shares of newly issued common stock ("New Common")
will be issued and, in lieu thereof, stockholders holding a number of shares of
Existing Common not evenly divisible by five, and stockholders holding fewer
than five shares of Existing Common, will receive cash in lieu of fractional
shares of New Common. In the accompanying financial statements and related
notes, all share and per share amounts have been retroactively adjusted to
reflect the stock split.

(3) NET LOSS PER SHARE

    As a net loss is presented for the three and nine-month periods ended
June 30, 2001 and June 30, 2000, the loss per share was based only on the
weighted average number of common shares outstanding.

    For both the three and nine-month periods ended June 30, 2001 and June 30,
2000, all 556,860 and 396,795 potential common shares, respectively, were
excluded from the above calculation, as their effect would have been
anti-dilutive due to the Company's net loss in those periods.

(4) PRIVATE PLACEMENT OF COMMON STOCK

    On December 29, 2000, the Company entered into an agreement with @viso
Limited ("@viso"), pursuant to which @viso agreed to purchase 217,500 shares of
common stock for issuance to @viso or its designated investors, at a price per
share of $4.60, for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $1 million. The
purchase price of $4.60 per share represents the average closing price of the
common stock for the twenty days ending with the closing date of the
transactions contemplated by this agreement.

(5) YAHOO! INVESTMENT AND SERVICE AGREEMENT

    In connection with the service agreement dated June 3, 1999 between Yahoo!
and the Company, the Company granted to Yahoo! warrants to purchase 39,843
shares of common stock at $24.75 per share. The warrants were accounted for
under the variable method of accounting. The warrants were fully vested on
June 3, 2000. The Company recognized the expense related to the warrants over
the vesting period. For the three and nine-month periods ended June 30, 2000,
the Company recorded a credit of $1,723,000 and a charge of $11,000,
respectively.

(6) ACQUIRED TECHNOLOGIES AND INTANGIBLES

    On December 13, 1999, the Company acquired certain assets and goodwill of
Human Resources Sites International, Inc. ("HR Sites") in exchange for
$1.5 million in cash plus junior subordinated convertible promissory notes (the
"Notes") with a face amount totaling $3.425 million. These assets and

                                       7
<Page>
                                 WEBHIRE, INC.

             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

                                  (UNAUDITED)

                                 JUNE 30, 2001

intangible assets are being amortized over a period of three to five years. The
assets are recorded under Acquired technologies on the balance sheet and are
equal to $999 as of June 30, 2001. Goodwill and non-compete agreements are
recorded on the balance sheet under Intangible assets and are equal to $3,168 as
of June 30, 2001. HR Sites was the developer of an Internet job-posting platform
that provided online job posting connections to more than 2,000 career sites and
Internet news groups. The Notes contain a beneficial conversion feature enabling
the holder to convert the principal and any accrued interest into the Company's
common stock one day prior to the scheduled maturities, or one day prior to
redemption by the Company, at a price of $48.40 per share, which reflects the
1-for-5 reverse split of the shares of the Company's common stock. The Company
may redeem the Notes at any time on or after January 1, 2000 at its sole
discretion. The Notes are also convertible upon a change in control of the
Company. The Company's common stock price on December 13, 1999, the date the
Notes were executed, was $88.75. The conversion price is subject to adjustment
upon certain anti-dilution events. The Notes contain the same terms other than
differing maturities. The interest rate on both Notes is 5.6% per annum. The
Notes consist of principal amounts of $2.5 million, which was repaid on
December 14, 2000, and $0.925 million that was to mature on March 14, 2001. This
Note was subsequently restructured so that $0.259 million was repaid on
March 14, 2001, $0.366 million was repaid on April 5, 2001 and $0.300 million
matured and was repaid on July 5, 2001.

(7) NOTES PAYABLE--BANK

    On March 27, 2001, the Company secured a $3.0 million line of credit from
Citizens Bank of Massachusetts, which expires on March 27, 2003. This line of
credit is collateralized by all assets of the Company. Interest under this line
of credit is to be charged at a fluctuating rate that is equal to the daily
prime rate, or at such other rate agreed on from time to time by the Company and
Citizens Bank. The average rate for the period ended June 30, 2001 was 7.4%. The
borrowing base of this line of credit will initially be equal to 100% of the
Company's pledged cash not to exceed $3.0 million. This line of credit has a
conversion feature which, once all evidence is given to the bank's conditions of
lending, will increase the borrowing base to the sum of 100% of the Company's
pledged cash plus 70% of qualified accounts receivable plus the lesser of
$1.0 million or 50% of the Company's deferred qualified accounts. At June 30,
2001 $1.5 million was outstanding under this line of credit, with $1.5 million
still available.

(8) RELATED PARTY TRANSACTION

    On January 11, 2001, a major investor in the Company, which is a related
party, provided the Company with a written commitment to support the Company's
cash liquidity requirements through September 2001, up to a maximum of
$5 million, if necessary. In consideration of such commitment, the Company
issued warrants to the investor to purchase 100,000 shares of the Company's
common stock at a price of $6.25 per share. The warrants fully vested
immediately on January 11, 2001. For the three and nine-month periods ended
June 30, 2001 the Company recorded a one-time charge of $0 and $309,000,
respectively.

(9) BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION

    The Company has two reportable segments: 1) Internet and transaction-based
solutions and 2) Enterprise software solutions, the former of which started to
emerge in Fiscal 1997 with the offering

                                       8
<Page>
                                 WEBHIRE, INC.

             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

                                  (UNAUDITED)

                                 JUNE 30, 2001

of outsourced services (e.g., resume scanning, acknowledgement letters). The
Internet and transaction-based solutions segment provides outsourced management
of private candidate pools via WEBHIRE RECRUITER, subscription services to
public resume pools and job-posting sites, resume scanning, reference checking
and other fee-based staffing functions. The enterprise software solutions
segment provides perpetual licenses to the Company's software products and the
related maintenance, training, implementation and consulting services in support
of such licenses.

    The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in
the summary of significant accounting policies in the Company's Annual Report on
Form 10-K. Expenses such as depreciation, rent and utilities are allocated to
the reportable segments based on relative headcount as a basis of relative
usage. The Company has no intersegment sales and transfers, and does not
allocate assets to the operating segments.

    The Company's reportable segments are strategic business units that offer
different solutions tailored to a customer's needs.

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                              THREE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2001:
                                                           ---------------------------------------
                                                           INTERNET AND   ENTERPRISE      TOTAL
                                                           TRANSACTIONS    SOFTWARE      COMPANY
                                                           ------------   ----------   -----------
<S>                                                        <C>            <C>          <C>
Revenue..................................................   $3,062,000    $2,207,000   $ 5,269,000
Gross profit.............................................      393,000     1,796,000     2,189,000
Loss from operations.....................................                               (1,882,000)
Loss from equity-method investments......................                                       --
Other income, net........................................                                   46,000
                                                                                       -----------
Loss before income taxes.................................                              $(1,836,000)
                                                                                       ===========
</Table>

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                             THREE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2000:
                                                          ---------------------------------------
                                                          INTERNET AND   ENTERPRISE      TOTAL
                                                          TRANSACTIONS    SOFTWARE      COMPANY
                                                          ------------   ----------   -----------
<S>                                                       <C>            <C>          <C>
Revenue.................................................  $ 2,796,000    $2,992,000   $ 5,788,000
Gross (loss) profit.....................................   (2,474,000)    1,456,000    (1,018,000)
Loss from operations....................................                               (8,788,000)
Loss from equity-method investments.....................                                   (5,000)
Other income, net.......................................                                   42,000
                                                                                      -----------
Loss before income taxes................................                              $(8,751,000)
                                                                                      ===========
</Table>

                                       9
<Page>
                                 WEBHIRE, INC.

             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

                                  (UNAUDITED)

                                 JUNE 30, 2001

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                            NINE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2001:
                                                        ----------------------------------------
                                                        INTERNET AND   ENTERPRISE      TOTAL
                                                        TRANSACTIONS    SOFTWARE      COMPANY
                                                        ------------   ----------   ------------
<S>                                                     <C>            <C>          <C>
Revenue...............................................  $  9,680,000   $7,310,000   $ 16,990,000
Gross (loss) profit...................................      (453,000)   5,899,000      5,446,000
Loss from operations..................................                               (10,930,000)
Loss from equity-method investments...................                                        --
Other income, net.....................................                                   438,000
                                                                                    ------------
Loss before income taxes..............................                              $(10,492,000)
                                                                                    ============
</Table>

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                           NINE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2000:
                                                       -----------------------------------------
                                                       INTERNET AND   ENTERPRISE       TOTAL
                                                       TRANSACTIONS    SOFTWARE       COMPANY
                                                       ------------   -----------   ------------
<S>                                                    <C>            <C>           <C>
Revenue..............................................  $  6,912,000   $11,652,000   $ 18,564,000
Gross (loss) profit..................................    (7,481,000)    7,405,000        (76,000)
Loss from operations.................................                                (26,978,000)
Loss from equity-method investments..................                                     (5,000)
Other income, net....................................                                    420,000
                                                                                    ------------
Loss before income taxes.............................                               $(26,563,000)
                                                                                    ============
</Table>

                                       10
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                                 WEBHIRE, INC.
                      MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
                OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
            FOR THE THREE AND NINE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED JUNE 30, 2001

    THIS REPORT CONTAINS FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS THAT INVOLVE RISKS AND
UNCERTAINTIES. THE STATEMENTS CONTAINED IN THIS REPORT THAT ARE NOT PURELY
HISTORICAL ARE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS WITHIN THE MEANING OF SECTION 27A OF
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, AND SECTION 21E OF THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS AMENDED. FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS INCLUDE, WITHOUT
LIMITATION, STATEMENTS CONTAINING THE WORDS "ANTICIPATES", "BELIEVES",
"EXPECTS", "INTENDS", "FUTURE", AND WORDS OF SIMILAR MEANING WHICH EXPRESS
MANAGEMENT'S BELIEF, EXPECTATIONS OR INTENTIONS REGARDING THE COMPANY'S FUTURE
PERFORMANCE. ALL FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS INCLUDED IN THIS REPORT ARE BASED ON
INFORMATION AVAILABLE TO THE COMPANY ON THE DATE HEREOF, AND THE COMPANY HAS NO
OBLIGATION TO UPDATE ANY SUCH FORWARD- LOOKING STATEMENTS. THE COMPANY'S ACTUAL
RESULTS COULD DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM ITS HISTORICAL OPERATING RESULTS AND FROM
THOSE ANTICIPATED IN THESE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AS A RESULT OF CERTAIN
FACTORS, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, THOSE SET FORTH BELOW, UNDER "FACTORS
AFFECTING FUTURE OPERATING RESULTS".

CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
(IN THOUSANDS)

    REVENUE

    Total revenue for the three and nine-month periods ended June 30, 2001 was
$5,269 and $16,990 compared to $5,788 and $18,564 for the three and nine-month
periods ended June 30, 2000.

    SERVICES REVENUE

    Services revenue--Internet increased 10% to $3,062 for the three months
ended June 30, 2001 from $2,796 for the three months ended June 30, 2000. For
the nine months ended June 30, 2001, services revenue--Internet increased 40% to
$9,680 from $6,912 for the comparable 2000 period. The increase for both periods
was attributable to the increase in average selling price of our WEBHIRE
RECRUITER product. The increase was also attributable to the growth in the
OUTSOURCED WEBHIRE ENTERPRISE customer base.

    Services revenue--Enterprise was $1,677 for the three months ended June 30,
2001 as compared to $2,601 for the three months ended June 30, 2000. For the
nine months ended June 30, 2001, services revenue--Enterprise decreased to
$5,985 from $8,476 for the comparable 2000 period. The decrease is primarily
attributable to a decline in maintenance revenues as the Company's customer base
continues to shift towards an Internet solution.

    PRODUCT REVENUE.  Product revenue, which relates to the enterprise software
solutions segment, was $530 for the three months ended June 30, 2001 compared to
$391 for the three months ended June 30, 2000. This increase was attributed to
the Company's sale of software to one of its customers. For the nine months
ended June 30, 2001, product revenue was $1,325 compared to $3,176 for the
comparable 2000 period. This decrease is attributable to the Company's continued
transition towards an Internet/ intranet product line.

    COST OF REVENUE

    COST OF SERVICES REVENUE

    Cost of services revenue--Internet was $2,231 and $2,918 for the three
months ended June 30, 2001 and June 30, 2000, respectively. For the nine months
ended June 30, 2001 and June 30, 2000, cost of services revenue--Internet was
$7,543 and $7,478, respectively. Internet gross margins, excluding

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amortization of acquired technologies, improved to 27% compared to negative 4%
for the three months ended June 30, 2001 and June 30, 2000, respectively, and
improved to 22% compared to negative 8% for the nine months ended June 30, 2001
and June 30, 2000, respectively. The improved margins were mainly attributable
to an increase in average selling price as well as a concerted effort on the
Company's behalf to contain costs.

    Cost of services revenue--Enterprise decreased 64% to $320 for the three
months ended June 30, 2001 from $883 for the three months ended June 30, 2000.
For the nine months ended June 30, 2001, cost of services revenue--Enterprise of
$1,101 decreased 64% from $3,079 for the comparable 2000 period. The decrease
for both periods is due to a reduction in headcount assigned to this product
line and a shift of the Company's resources towards an Internet and
transaction-based solution segment.

    COST OF PRODUCT REVENUE.  Cost of product revenue was $91 and $310 for the
three and nine-month periods ended June 30, 2001, respectively, as compared to
$369 and $884 for the three and nine-month periods ended June 30, 2000,
respectively. The decrease in cost of product revenue is due primarily to the
Company's transition from an enterprise software to an Internet/intranet
solution as well as a further decrease in the Company's dependency on third
party vendors.

    AMORTIZATION OF ACQUIRED TECHNOLOGIES.  Amortization of acquired
technologies was $438 and $2,590 for the three and nine-month periods ended
June 30, 2001, respectively, as compared to $2,352 and $6,915 for the comparable
Fiscal 2000 periods. The decrease is a result of the completion of the
amortization of an asset originally purchased from Amazon.com, Inc.

    OPERATING EXPENSES

    RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.  Research and development expenses were $1,346 or
26% of total revenue for the three months ended June 30, 2001 as compared to
$2,955 or 51% of total revenue for the comparable Fiscal 2000 period. For the
nine-month period ended June 30, 2001, research and development expenses were
$5,430 or 32% of total revenue as compared to $9,298 or 50% of total revenue for
the comparable Fiscal 2000 period. This decrease is primarily due to reductions
in both personnel and consulting expenses related to the convergence of two
research and development projects that led to substantial savings.

    SALES AND MARKETING.  Sales and marketing expenses were $1,754 or 33% of
total revenue and $5,851 or 34% of total revenue for the three and nine-month
periods ended June 30, 2001, respectively, as compared to $3,019 or 52% of total
revenue and $10,004 or 54% of total revenue for the comparable Fiscal 2000
periods. This decrease is due primarily to reductions in headcount and
postponement of certain marketing and sales programs.

    GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE.  General and administrative expenses were $426
or 8% of total revenue and $3,459 or 20% of total revenue for the three and
nine-month periods ended June 30, 2001, respectively, as compared to $1,974 or
34% of total revenue and $5,386 or 29% of total revenue for the comparable
Fiscal 2000 periods. The absolute dollar decrease for the three-month period of
Fiscal 2001 as compared to Fiscal 2000 is due to the significant improvement in
the Company's collection of past due accounts which resulted in the reduction of
bad debt expenses recorded. The absolute dollar decrease for the nine-month
period of Fiscal 2001 as compared to Fiscal 2000 is the result of the reduction
in bad debt expense, a reduction in personnel expenses and a one-time early
cancellation fee of a sales office lease recorded during the first quarter of
Fiscal 2000.

    AMORTIZATION OF INTANGIBLE ASSETS

    In connection with the acquisition of HR Sites during Fiscal 2000 the
Company recorded intangible assets totaling $6,551 including non-compete
agreements, a customer base and excess

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purchase price over identifiable assets which are being amortized over estimated
lives of between three to five years.

    OTHER INCOME

    NON-CASH INTEREST ON WARRANTS ISSUED.  Amortization of stock-based
consideration was $0 and $309 for the three and nine-month periods ended
June 30, 2001, respectively. In consideration of a written commitment by a
related party to support the Company's cash liquidity requirements, the Company
issued warrants to purchase 100,000 shares of the Company's common stock at a
price of $6.25 per share. In connection with this warrant, the Company recorded
a one-time charge of $309 during the second quarter of Fiscal 2001.

    OTHER INCOME, NET.  Other income, net increased to $46 and $747 for the
three and nine-month periods ended June 30, 2001 from $42 and $420 for the
comparable Fiscal 2000 periods. This increase for the nine-month period is due
primarily to a gain on a sale of assets and technology and a settlement from the
discontinuation of a joint venture agreement.

    BENEFIT FOR INCOME TAXES

    For the three and nine-month periods ended June 30, 2001, the Company
recorded a benefit for income taxes of $69. This benefit was the result of the
Company's overpayment of past state income taxes. The Company has requested
these funds from the various states to be refunded. For the three and nine-month
periods ended June 30, 2000, the Company recorded a $1.2 million valuation
allowance to reserve for the full amount of its net deferred tax assets since,
based on the weight of available evidence, management had concluded that it was
more likely than not that those future benefits would not be realized.

RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

    In July 2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued
Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (SFAS) No. 141, BUSINESS
COMBINATIONS. SFAS No. 141 is effective for all business combinations initiated
after June 30, 2001 and for all business combinations accounted for by the
purchase method for which the date of acquisition is after June 30, 2001. SFAS
No. 141 requires that all business combinations be accounted for under the
purchase method and that certain acquired intangible assets in a business
combination be recognized as assets apart from goodwill. The Company does not
expect SFAS No. 141 to have an impact on the Company's financial statements.

    In July 2001, the FASB also issued SFAS No. 142, GOODWILL AND OTHER
INTANGIBLE ASSETS. SFAS No. 142 establishes new guidance on accounting for
goodwill and other intangible assets. In addition, companies will be required to
review goodwill and intangible assets reported in connection with prior
acquisitions, possibly disaggregate and report separately previously identified
intangible assets, and possibly reclassify certain intangible assets into
goodwill. The Company expects to implement SFAS No. 142 at its earliest
allowable adoption date, October 1, 2001. Upon adoption, existing goodwill will
no longer be amortized, but instead will be assessed for impairment at least as
often as annually. Goodwill resulting from acquisitions initiated after
June 30, 2001, will be immediately subject to the nonamortization provisions of
SFAS No. 142. Goodwill amortization for the nine months ended June 30, 2001 was
$1.6 million. The Company is currently assessing the impact of this new
standard.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
(IN THOUSANDS)

    At June 30, 2001, the Company had cash and cash equivalents and short- and
long-term investments of $7,819, a decrease of $6,726 from $14,545 at
September 30, 2000.

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    Accounts and installments receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts,
were $927 at June 30, 2001, a decrease of $3,845 from $4,772 at September 30,
2000. This decrease is attributed to significant improvement in the Company's
collection of past due accounts. The accounts and installments receivable, less
allowance for doubtful accounts, is a net amount and reflects the removal of
unpaid amounts of deferred revenue off the Company's trial balance.

    Cash used in operating activities was $6,046 during the nine-month period
ended June 30, 2001. Use of cash in operating activities consisted mainly of the
net loss for the nine-month period of $10,423, the offsetting effects of
depreciation and amortization of $5,723 and amortization of stock-based
consideration of $309 and fluctuations in certain assets and liabilities.

    The Company used $2,430 in investing activities during the first nine months
of Fiscal 2001, principally for the payment of notes payable of $3,125 in
connection with previously acquired technologies and intangible assets partially
offset by the net maturities of short and long-term investments of $696.

    Net cash provided by financing activities for the nine-month period ended
June 30, 2001 was $2,445, consisting primarily of $1,500 from proceeds on a line
of credit and $878 from the issuance of common stock in connection with a
private placement.

    The Company has adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133
("SFAS 133"), ACCOUNTING FOR DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES. The
adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the Company's
consolidated financial statements. To date, the Company has not invested in
derivative securities or any other financial instruments that involve a high
level of complexity or risk. Cash has been, and the Company contemplates that it
will continue to be, invested in interest-bearing, investment grade securities.

    From time to time, the Company may evaluate potential acquisitions of
products, businesses and technologies that may complement or expand the
Company's business. Any such transactions consummated may use a portion of the
Company's working capital and/or require the issuance of equity or debt.

    The Company believes that its current cash and cash equivalent balance will
be sufficient to meet its working capital and capital expenditure requirements
through Fiscal 2001.

FACTORS AFFECTING FUTURE OPERATING RESULTS

    An investment in our common stock involves various risks. Before investing
in our common stock, you should carefully consider the following risk factors.
These risk factors are not exhaustive and should be read together with the other
reports and documents that we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
which may include additional or more current information that should be
considered in making an investment in us.

IF WE ARE UNABLE TO OBTAIN ADDITIONAL CAPITAL AS NEEDED IN THE FUTURE, OUR
BUSINESS MAY BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED.

    We currently anticipate that our available cash will be sufficient to meet
our anticipated working capital and capital expenditure requirements through the
near term. However, we may need to raise additional capital to meet our current
needs and also, in the longer term, to fund more rapid expansion to develop new
services, to enhance existing services in response to competitive pressures, and
to acquire complementary services, businesses or technologies. In the event our
operations are not profitable or do not generate sufficient cash to fund the
business, or if we fail to receive money to meet our obligations, we may have to
substantially cut back our level of operations. These reductions could, in turn,
affect our relationships with our strategic partners and customers and threaten
our ability to continue as an ongoing concern. If we raise additional funds
through issuances of equity or

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convertible debt securities, the percentage of ownership of our current
stockholders will be reduced and such securities may have rights, preferences
and privileges senior to those of our current stockholders. In addition, we may
not be able to obtain such financing on terms favorable to us, if at all. If
adequate funds are not available or are not available on terms favorable to us,
our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially
and adversely affected.

TO COMPETE EFFECTIVELY, WE MUST ADAPT QUICKLY TO ADVANCES IN TECHNOLOGY AND
CHANGES IN CUSTOMER REQUIREMENTS.

    The market for automated recruiting products and services is undergoing
rapid changes, including continuing advances in technology and changes in
customer requirements and preferences. These market dynamics have been amplified
by the emergence of the Internet as a tool for recruiting solutions. Our future
success will depend in significant part on our ability to continually improve
the performance, features and reliability of our software and services in
response to the evolving demands of the marketplace and competitive product
offerings. Any failure on our part to quickly develop products and services that
address changes in technology or customer demands will likely result in loss of
market share to a competitor.

OUR BUSINESS MODEL IS NOT YET FULLY PROVEN.

    In Fiscal 1998 we expanded our technology into products and services that
could be offered over the Internet to foster long-term growth. Since that time,
revenue from Internet-based transactions has grown in relation to revenue from
our software licensing and maintenance business, becoming a majority of our
total revenue for the first time in the first quarter of Fiscal 2001. We expect
our reliance on Internet-based transactions for revenues to continue to increase
in the future, and we expect product revenue from software license sales and
maintenance to continue to become a smaller component of our revenue over time.
Our long-term business model and profit potential are not yet fully proven. To
be successful, we must develop and market online recruitment offerings that
achieve broad market acceptance by employers, job seekers and interactive media
companies. It is possible that we will be required to further adapt our business
model in response to additional changes in the online recruitment market or if
our current business model is not successful. If we are not able to anticipate
changes in the online recruitment market or if our business model is not
successful, our business, financial condition and results of operations will be
materially and adversely affected.

WE MAY BE UNABLE TO CONTINUE TO BUILD CUSTOMER AWARENESS.

    We believe that continuing to build brand recognition is critical to
achieving widespread acceptance of our online recruitment offerings. Brand
recognition is a key differentiating factor among providers of online
recruitment offerings and we believe it could become more important as
competition in the online recruitment market increases. We may find it necessary
to accelerate expenditures on our sales and marketing efforts or otherwise
increase our financial commitment to creating and maintaining brand awareness
among potential customers. If we fail to successfully promote and maintain our
brand or incur significant expenses in promoting our brand, our business,
financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely
affected.

THE DEMAND FOR AUTOMATED RECRUITING SOFTWARE AND SERVICES MAY FAIL TO GROW AND
GENERATE BUSINESS.

    Our future success substantially depends on broader recognition of the
potential benefits of automated recruiting software and services and the growth
in demand for these products and services. It is difficult to assess the size of
the market that will develop and the rate at which it will develop. If the
market does not develop as we anticipate, or if it develops more slowly than we
expect, our business, financial condition and results of operations will be
materially and adversely affected.

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OUR BUSINESS IS DEPENDENT ON THE CONTINUED DEVELOPMENT AND MAINTENANCE OF THE
INTERNET INFRASTRUCTURE.

    Our success will depend, in large part, upon the continued development and
maintenance of the Internet infrastructure as a reliable network backbone with
the necessary speed, data capacity and security, and timely development of
enabling products, such as high-speed modems, for providing reliable Internet
access and services. We cannot assure you that the Internet infrastructure will
continue to effectively support the demands placed on it as the Internet
continues to experience increased numbers of users, greater frequency of use or
increased bandwidth requirements of users. Even if the necessary infrastructure
or technologies are developed, we may have to spend considerable resources to
adapt our offerings accordingly. Furthermore, in the past, the Internet has
experienced a variety of outages and other delays. Any future outages or delays
could affect the Internet sites on which our customers' job advertisements are
posted and the willingness of employers and job seekers to use our online
recruitment offerings. If any of these events occur, our business, financial
condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.

OUR BUSINESS IS DEPENDENT ON THE CONTINUED GROWTH OF THE INTERNET AS A
RECRUITING MEDIUM.

    Our future is highly dependent on the continuing increase in the use of the
Internet as a recruiting medium. The online recruitment market is rapidly
evolving, and we cannot yet gauge its effectiveness as compared to traditional
recruiting methods. As a result, demand and market acceptance of online
recruitment offerings are uncertain. The adoption of online recruiting,
particularly by those entities that have historically relied upon traditional
methods of recruiting, requires the acceptance of a new way of conducting
business, exchanging information and advertising for jobs. We cannot assure you
that the online recruitment market will continue to emerge or become
sustainable. If the online recruitment market develops more slowly than we
expect, our business, financial condition and results of operations will be
materially and adversely affected.

OUR COMPUTER SYSTEMS COULD FAIL OR OVERLOAD.

    The success of our online recruitment offerings depends highly on the
efficient and uninterrupted operation of our computer and communications
systems. Power loss, telecommunications failures, computer viruses, electronic
break-ins or other similar disruptive problems could damage or cause
interruptions in these systems. If our systems are affected by any of these
occurrences, our business, financial condition and results of operations could
be materially and adversely affected. Our insurance policies may not cover, or
if covered, may not adequately compensate us for, any losses that may occur due
to any failures or interruptions in our systems. We do not presently have any
secondary "off-site" systems or a formal disaster recovery plan.

    In addition, we must accommodate a high volume of traffic and deliver
frequently updated information. Our web sites have in the past and may in the
future experience slower response times or decreased traffic for a variety of
reasons. In addition, our users depend on Internet service providers and other
Internet site operators for access to our web sites. Many of the Internet
service providers have experienced significant outages in the past, and could
experience outages, delays and other difficulties due to system failures
unrelated to our systems.

    If we experience any of these problems, our business, financial condition
and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.

OUR NEW PRODUCT AND SERVICE INTRODUCTIONS MAY HAVE DEFECTS WHICH COULD RESULT IN
ADVERSE PUBLICITY OR HAVE OTHER NEGATIVE EFFECTS.

    As the marketplace for recruiting solutions continues to evolve, we plan to
develop and introduce new products and services to enable us to effectively meet
the changing needs of the market. Products as complex as the ones that we offer
may contain undetected errors when first introduced or when new

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versions are released. In the past, despite prior testing, we have discovered
software errors in some of our products after their introduction. Defects in
product and services may result in adverse publicity, loss of or delay in market
acceptance, injury to our reputation and brand awareness, or claims against us,
any one of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial
condition and results of operations.

WE HAVE SIGNIFICANT COMPETITION FROM A VARIETY OF SOURCES.

    The market for recruitment solutions is intensely competitive and highly
fragmented. Although few companies directly compete with us, there are a large
number of job boards, search firms, and Internet portal sites that are vying for
their share of the overall corporate recruiting budget. We expect to face
additional competition as other established and emerging companies, including
print media companies and employee recruiting agencies with established brands,
enter the online recruitment market.

    Many of our current and potential competitors have significantly greater
financial, technical, marketing and other resources than we do. In addition,
current and potential competitors may make strategic acquisitions or establish
cooperative relationships to expand their offerings and to offer more
comprehensive solutions.

    We believe that there will be rapid business consolidation in the online
recruitment industry. Accordingly, new competitors may emerge and rapidly
acquire significant market share. In addition, new technologies will likely
increase the competitive pressures that we face. The development of competing
technologies by market participants or the emergence of new industry standards
may adversely affect our competitive position. An increase in competition could
result in price reductions, limitations of access to key content on the
Internet, render our existing software and services obsolete or unmarketable
and/or result in loss of market share.

WE MUST MANAGE OUR GROWTH IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE DESIRED RESULTS.

    The evolution of our business and the expansion of our customer base has
resulted in substantial growth in the scope of our operations over the last few
years. Our future results of operations will depend in part on the ability of
our officers and other key employees to continue to implement our operational,
customer support, and financial control systems and to expand, train, and manage
our employee base.

THE SUCCESSFUL OPERATION OF OUR BUSINESS DEPENDS IN LARGE PART ON OUR
RELATIONSHIPS WITH THIRD PARTIES

    A key element of our business strategy is to develop relationships with
leading industry organizations in order to increase our market presence, expand
distribution channels and broaden our product line. We believe that our
continued success depends in large part on our ability to maintain such
relationships and cultivate additional relationships. There can be no assurance
that our existing strategic partners will not discontinue their relationships
with us, or that we will be able to successfully develop additional strategic
relationships.

    In addition, certain technology incorporated in our software is licensed
from third parties on a nonexclusive basis. The termination of any of these
licenses, or the failure of the third-party licensors to adequately maintain or
update their products, could result in delay in our ability to ship certain of
our products while we seek to implement technology offered by alternative
sources. In addition, any required replacement licenses could prove more costly
than our current license relationships and might not provide technology as
powerful and functional as the third-party technology we currently license.
Also, any such delay, to the extent it becomes extended or occurs at or near the
end of a fiscal quarter, could have a material adverse effect on our results of
operations for that quarter. While it may be necessary or desirable in the
future to obtain other licenses relating to one or more of our products or

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relating to current or future technologies, we may not be able to do so on
commercially reasonable terms or at all.

OUR OPERATING RESULTS MAY BE SUBJECT TO SIGNIFICANT QUARTERLY FLUCTUATIONS.

    Our results of operations have been, and may in the future be, subject to
significant quarterly fluctuations. Such fluctuations could be due to a variety
of factors, including the following:

    - the fact that our software license revenue (as opposed to Internet based
      service revenue) consists of a relatively small number of large dollar
      transactions and, as a result, may fluctuate significantly from one
      quarter to another if the number of transactions completed varies
      slightly;

    - the introduction of new products by us or our competitors;

    - the capital spending patterns of our customers;

    - our sales incentive strategy which is based in part on annual sales
      targets;

    - the fact that a substantial portion of our product revenue often occurs
      during the last few weeks of each quarter and, as a result, any delays in
      orders or shipments are more likely to result in revenue not being
      recognized until the following quarter; and

    - our current expense levels are based in part on our expectations of future
      revenue and, as a result, net income for a given period could be
      disproportionately affected by any reduction in revenue.

    To the extent our level of revenue in the future decreases from past levels
or in some future quarter our revenue or operating results are below the
expectations of stock market securities analysts and investors, our
profitability and the price of our common stock is likely to be materially and
adversely affected.

OUR BUSINESS MAY EXPERIENCE NEGATIVE EFFECTS FROM A SLOWDOWN IN THE U.S. AND/OR
GLOBAL ECONOMIES.

    In recent months, a downward trend in leading economic indicators points to
a slowing of the U.S. economy. Customer demand in the markets in which our
Company does business could experience the negative effects of a slowdown in the
U.S. and/or global economies. As a result, downturns in the U.S. and/or global
economies could have a material adverse effect on our Company's business,
financial condition, results of operations or prospects.

AFFILIATES OF SOFTBANK CORP. BENEFICIALLY OWN APPROXIMATELY 35% OF OUR
OUTSTANDING STOCK, ARE REPRESENTED ON OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND HAVE RIGHTS TO
PARTICIPATE IN CERTAIN OF OUR TRANSACTIONS. SOFTBANK'S INTERESTS COULD CONFLICT
WITH YOUR INTERESTS AND SIGNIFICANT SALES OF STOCK HELD BY IT COULD HAVE A
NEGATIVE EFFECT ON OUR STOCK PRICE.

    Affiliates of SOFTBANK Corp. currently beneficially own approximately 35% of
our outstanding common stock, which includes approximately 1% of our common
stock that is owned by Yahoo! Inc., a SOFTBANK affiliate in which SOFTBANK is a
major investor. As a result of their stock ownership, SOFTBANK and its
affiliates have significant control over all matters requiring stockholder
approval, including the election of directors and approval of significant
corporate transactions, and their interests could conflict with those of other
stockholders. Such concentration of ownership may also have the effect of
delaying or preventing a change in control of our Company. In addition, sales of
significant amounts of shares held by these entities, or the prospect of these
sales, could adversely affect the market price of our common stock.

    SOFTBANK has the right to nominate two members of our Board of Directors,
which currently consists of six members (one of whom is a SOFTBANK
representative), and for so long as

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SOFTBANK or its affiliates continues to hold at least 10% of our outstanding
common stock, it is entitled to nominate one director each time a class of
directors in which one of its representatives serves is subject to election.
Further, one of SOFTBANK's directors is entitled to serve as a member of the
audit committee and compensation committee of the Board of Directors. As a
result, SOFTBANK has significant influence on all matters requiring the approval
of the Board of Directors.

    In addition, in the event we propose to enter into a joint venture for
operations in the United Kingdom, continental Europe or Japan or a business
transaction with any competitor of SOFTBANK's affiliate ZDNet, we are required
by the terms of the stock purchase agreement pursuant to which SOFTBANK acquired
our common stock to offer SOFTBANK or one of its affiliates the opportunity to
participate in the transaction on terms and conditions mutually acceptable to us
and them. As a result of these contractual obligations, third parties may be
reluctant to negotiate joint ventures or business transactions with us because
they know SOFTBANK and its affiliates will be given the opportunity to
participate in such transactions.

KORN/FERRY BENEFICIALLY OWNS APPROXIMATELY 15% OF OUR OUTSTANDING STOCK, IS
REPRESENTED ON OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND HAS RIGHTS WITH RESPECT TO CERTAIN OF
OUR TRANSACTIONS. KORN/FERRY'S INTERESTS COULD CONFLICT WITH YOUR INTERESTS AND
SIGNIFICANT SALES OF STOCK HELD BY IT COULD HAVE A NEGATIVE EFFECT ON OUR STOCK
PRICE.

    Korn/Ferry International currently beneficially owns approximately 15% of
our outstanding common stock. As a result of its stock ownership, Korn/Ferry has
significant control over all matters requiring stockholder approval, including
the election of directors and approval of significant corporate transactions,
and its interests could conflict with those of our other stockholders. In
addition, under the terms of the stock purchase agreement pursuant to which
Korn/Ferry acquired our common stock, for so long as Korn Ferry continues to
hold at least 5% of our common stock, we are required to first negotiate with
Korn/Ferry in the event of a potential sale or acquisition of our Company or a
substantial stock issuance by us. Such concentration of ownership and such
contractual obligation may also have the effect of delaying or preventing a
change in control of our Company. In addition, sales of significant amounts of
shares held by Korn/Ferry, or the prospect of these sales, could adversely
affect the market price of our common stock.

    Korn/Ferry has the right to nominate one member of our Board of Directors,
which currently consists of six members (one of whom is a Korn/Ferry
representative), and for so long as Korn/Ferry continues to hold at least 5% of
our outstanding common stock, it is entitled to nominate one director each time
the class of directors in which its representative serves is subject to
election. As a result, Korn/Ferry has significant influence on all matters
requiring the approval of the Board of Directors.

WE DEPEND ON KEY PERSONNEL WHO MAY NOT CONTINUE TO WORK FOR US.

    Our future success depends to a significant extent on our senior management
and other key employees, many of whom have acquired specialized knowledge and
skills with respect to our operations. As a result, if any of these individuals
were to leave our Company, we could face substantial difficulty in hiring
qualified successors and could experience a loss of productivity while any such
successor obtains the necessary training and experience. We also believe that
our future success will depend in large part on our ability to attract and
retain additional key employees. Competition for qualified personnel in the high
tech industry is intense. If we do not succeed in attracting new personnel, or
retaining and motivating existing personnel, our business will be adversely
affected.

OUR STOCK PRICE MAY EXPERIENCE EXTREME PRICE AND VOLUME FLUCTUATIONS AND OUR
STOCKHOLDERS MAY NOT BE ABLE TO RESELL THEIR SHARES AT OR ABOVE THEIR PURCHASE
PRICE.

    We cannot predict the extent to which investors' interest in us will lead to
a stable trading market or how liquid the market might become. The stock market
in general and the market prices of shares

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<Page>
in technology companies, particularly those such as ours that offer
Internet-based products and services, have been extremely volatile and have
experienced fluctuations that have often been unrelated or disproportionate to
the operating performance of such companies. The market price of our common
stock could be highly volatile and subject to wide fluctuations in response to
many factors, including the following:

    - quarterly variations in our results of operations;

    - adverse business developments that have an impact on our business;

    - changes in financial estimates by securities analysts;

    - investor perception of our Company and online recruitment services in
      general;

    - announcements by our competitors of new products and services; and

    - fluctuations in our common stock price, which may affect our visibility
      and credibility in the online recruitment market.

    In the event of broad fluctuations in the market price of our common stock,
purchasers of our common stock may be unable to resell their shares at or above
their purchase price.

IT IS DIFFICULT TO PROTECT OUR INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS.

    We regard our intellectual property rights as critical to our success and
rely on a combination of copyright and trade secret laws, employee and
third-party non-disclosure agreements and other methods to protect these rights.
We cannot be assured that the measures we have taken to protect our proprietary
rights will be adequate to prevent misappropriation of our technology or
independent development by others of similar technology. Our inability to
protect our proprietary rights would have a material adverse effect on our
business, results of operations and financial condition.

WE MAY BE SUBJECT TO COSTLY INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY INFRINGEMENT CLAIMS.

    As the number of products and services in our industry increases and as
recruiting solutions further overlap, the likelihood that our current or future
products may become subject to intellectual property infringement claims
increases. Although we are not currently the subject of any intellectual
property litigation, there has been substantial litigation in our industry
regarding copyright, patent and other intellectual property rights involving
computer software companies. Any claims or litigation, with or without merit,
could be costly and could divert management's attention, which could have a
material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of
operations. Adverse determinations in such claims or litigation may require us
to obtain a license and/or pay damages, which could also have a material adverse
effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

WE MAY BE SUBJECT TO PRODUCT LIABILITY CLAIMS.

    Although we have not experienced any product and service liability claims to
date, the sale and support of our products and the incorporation of products
from other companies may entail the risk of product liability claims. Our
license agreements with our customers typically contain provisions intended to
limit our exposure to such claims. There can be no guarantee, however, that such
provisions will be effective in limiting our exposure. A successful product
liability action brought against us could adversely affect our business,
financial condition and results of operations.

ANTI-TAKEOVER PROVISIONS COULD MAKE IT MORE DIFFICULT FOR A THIRD PARTY TO
ACQUIRE US.

    Our Board of Directors has the authority to issue up to 5,000,000 shares of
preferred stock and to determine the price, rights, preferences, privileges and
restrictions, including voting rights, of those

                                       20
<Page>
shares without any further vote or action by the stockholders. The rights of the
holders of common stock may be subject to, and may be adversely affected by, the
rights of the holders of any preferred stock that may be issued in the future.
The issuance of preferred stock may have the effect of delaying, deferring or
preventing a change of control of our Company without further action by the
stockholders and may adversely affect the voting and other rights of the holders
of common stock. We have no present plans to issue shares of preferred stock.
Further, certain provisions of our charter documents, including provisions
providing for a staggered board of directors and limiting the ability of
stockholders to raise matters at a meeting of stockholders without giving
advance notice, may have the effect of delaying or preventing changes in control
or management of our Company, which could have an adverse effect on the market
price of our common stock.

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK

    There have been no significant changes in the Company's market risks since
the year ended September 30, 2000. For more information please read the
consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company's
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2000.

                                       21
<Page>
                                 WEBHIRE, INC.

PART II--OTHER INFORMATION:

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

    The Company is not involved in any pending legal proceedings other than
those arising in the ordinary course of the Company's business. Management
believes that the resolution of these matters will not materially affect the
Company's business or the financial condition of the Company.

ITEM 2. CHANGES IN SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

    None

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

    None

ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

    On May 17, 2001, the holders of 59% of the outstanding stock of the Company,
representing a majority in interest, approved by written consent an amendment to
the Company's Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to effect
a 1-for-5 reverse split of the Company's common stock. In connection with such
approval by written consent, a definitive Information Statement Pursuant to
Schedule 14C was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May, 18,
2001 and subsequently mailed to all stockholders of record. The reverse split
became effective on June 18, 2001.

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

    None

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

    (a) Exhibits furnished as Exhibits hereto:

<Table>
<Caption>
Exhibit No.  Description
-----------  -----------
<S>          <C>
</Table>

    None

    (b) Reports on Form 8-K.

        Registrant filed Current Report dated June 18, 2001 (Item 5).

                                       22
<Page>
                                 WEBHIRE, INC.

PART III--SIGNATURES

    Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf
by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

<Table>
<S>                                                    <C>  <C>
                                                       WEBHIRE, INC.

                                                       By:             /s/ MARTIN J. FAHEY
                                                            -----------------------------------------
                                                                         Martin J. Fahey
                                                                     CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

                                                       By:            /s/ STEPHEN D. ALLISON
                                                            -----------------------------------------
                                                                        Stephen D. Allison
                                                                     CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
</Table>

Date:  August 14, 2001

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