<PAGE>

              EXHIBIT 10.2 - EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN
              ALTERNATIVE RESOURCES CORPORATION AND STEVEN PURCELL
                           DATED AS OF AUGUST 1, 1998

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT


         This EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT ("Agreement") made effective as of August 1,
1998 by and between Alternative Resources Corporation (the "Company") and Steven
Purcell (the "Executive").

         In consideration of the mutual covenants contained in this Agreement,
the parties hereby agree as follows:

                                    SECTION I
                                   EMPLOYMENT

         The Company agrees to employ the Executive, and the Executive agrees to
be employed by the Company for the Period of Employment as provided in Section
III A. below upon the terms and conditions provided in the Agreement.

                                   SECTION II
                          POSITION AND RESPONSIBILITIES

         During the Period of Employment, the Executive agrees to serve as
Senior Vice President -- Finance and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, and
to be responsible for the typical responsibilities expected of an officer
holding such positions and such other responsibilities consistent with such
positions as may be assigned to the Executive from time to time by the Chief
Executive Officer of the Company.

                                   SECTION III
                                TERMS AND DUTIES

         A.       PERIOD OF EMPLOYMENT

         The term of Executive's employment under this Agreement will commence
as of August 1, 1998, and shall continue through December 31, 1999, subject to
extension or termination as provided in this Agreement (the "Period of
Employment"). The term shall be extended for an additional one year period as of
December 31, 1999 and as of each December 31 thereafter, unless either party
gives ninety (90) days prior notice of its intent not to extend.

         B.       DUTIES



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<PAGE>

         During the Period of Employment, the Executive shall devote all of 
his business time, attention and skill to the business and affairs of the 
Company and its subsidiaries, except that Executive may (i) during August of 
1998, perform services for his prior employer as necessary to assist in an 
orderly transition of his duties for such employer, so long as the Chief 
Executive Officer of the Company does not determine that such activities 
unreasonably interfere with his duties hereunder; (ii) participate in the 
affairs of any governmental, educational or other charitable institution, or 
engage in professional speaking and writing activities, so long as the Board 
of Directors of the Company, does not determine, in good faith, that such 
activities unreasonably interfere with the business of the Company or 
diminish the Executive's obligations under the Agreement; or (iii) serve as a 
member of the board of directors of other corporations, so long as the Board 
of Directors of the Company, in its discretion, specifically approves such 
service, and in any such case, the Executive shall be entitled to retain all 
fees, royalties and other compensation derived from such activities in 
addition to the compensation and other benefits payable to him under the 
Agreement; and provided further, that the Executive may invest his personal 
or family funds in any form or manner he may choose that will not require any 
services on his part in the operation of or the affairs of the companies in 
which such investments are made. The Executive will perform faithfully the 
duties consistent with his position as Senior Vice President -- Finance and 
Chief Financial Officer which may be assigned to him from time to time by the 
Chief Executive Officer.

                                   SECTION IV
                            COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

         A.       SIGNING BONUS

         On or before August 7, 1998, the Company shall pay the Executive a
bonus of One Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($150,000). Executive agrees that if
he terminates his employment with the Company voluntarily (other than in
connection with a disability as defined in Section VI) prior to August 1, 1999,
he shall repay the full amount of such bonus to the Company.

         B.       BASE SALARY

         During the Period of Employment, the Company agrees to pay the
Executive a base salary ("Base Salary") of Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand
Dollars ($250,000). Such Base Salary shall be payable according to the customary
payroll practices of the Company but in no event less frequently than bi-weekly
installments. The Executive shall not be considered for an increase in Base
Salary until after January 1, 2000.

         C.       ANNUAL INCENTIVE AWARDS

         The Executive will not be eligible for an annual incentive compensation
award for the period August 1, 1998 to December 31, 1998. The Executive shall be
eligible for an incentive compensation award for calendar year 1999 of up to
Eighty-Seven Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($87,500), calculated by subtracting
Eighty-Seven Thousand Five Hundred Dollars 

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<PAGE>

($87,500) from the amount (the "Gross Amount) determined under the chart set 
forth below, based on the following process:

         (i)   The Gross Amount shall equal the sum of Portions A, B, C and
               D to the extent earned under these provisions;

        (ii)   The corresponding Amount of each Portion shall be fully earned
               if both the Revenue Target and the EPS Target for such Portion
               are met or exceeded;

       (iii)   If only the Revenue Target for a given Portion is met or
               exceeded, 40% of the corresponding Amount shall be earned; if
               only the EPS Target is met or exceeded, 60% of the
               corresponding Amount shall be earned; and

        (iv)   The chart is as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

         PORTION          AMOUNT         REVENUE TARGET           EARNINGS PER SHARE
                                                                    ("EPS") TARGET
        <S>             <C>             <C>                      <C>
            A.           $50,000          $450 million                   $1.44

            B.            50,000           460 million                   1.48

            C.            50,000           470 million                   1.53

            D.            25,000           480 million                   1.57

</TABLE>

For purposes of the above calculation, Revenue and Earnings Per Share shall be
determined by the independent auditors of the Corporation in their discretion.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Gross Amount is less than Eighty-Seven
Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($87,500), the Executive shall not be required to
pay the difference to the Company.

         D.       OPTIONS

         The Company will take all actions necessary to grant to Executive, 
as of August 3, 1998, a non-qualified stock option to purchase 200,000 shares 
of the Company's common stock at an exercise price equal to the closing price 
of the common stock as reported in the WALL STREET JOURNAL for trading on 
August 3, 1998 and with a term of ten years. The option will not be 
exercisable until January 31, 1999 and shall become exercisable with respect 
to 4,762 shares on January 31, 1999 and with respect to an additional 4,762 
shares on the last day of each succeeding month, with the option becoming 
exercisable with respect to the final 4,758 shares on June 30, 2002. The 
option shall be in the form approved by the Board of Directors of the Company 
and, except as otherwise provided herein, shall be governed by terms and 
provisions comparable to those applicable to options granted under the 
Company's Stock Option Plan.

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<PAGE>

         Notwithstanding the foregoing, if (i) the Period of Employment ends
because the Company ends the automatic extension thereof under Section III A. of
this Agreement; (ii) the Company terminates the employment of the Executive
Without Cause as defined in Section VIII; (iii) the Executive's employment
hereunder terminates because of his death or disability (as defined in Section
VI); or (iv) there is a change in control of the Company, such option shall
become fully exercisable and shall remain exercisable for the remainder of their
term.

         For purposes of this Agreement, a "change in control" of the Company
shall be deemed to occur in connection with any of the following events with
respect to the Company:

         (i)      The acquisition by an entity, person or group (including all
                  affiliates of such entity, person or group) of beneficial
                  ownership, as that term is defined in Rule 13d-3 under the
                  Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (which definition shall apply
                  even if the Company is not then subject to such Act), of
                  capital stock of the Company entitled to exercise more than
                  30% of the outstanding voting power of all capital stock of
                  the Company ("Voting Stock");

         (ii)     The effective time of (i) a merger or consolidation of the
                  Company with one or more other corporations as a result of
                  which the holders of the outstanding Voting Stock immediately
                  prior to such merger or consolidation (other than the
                  surviving or resulting corporation or any affiliate thereof)
                  hold less than 50% of the Voting Stock of the surviving or
                  resulting corporation, or (ii) a transfer of more than 50% (in
                  value) of the assets of the Company other than to a transferee
                  in which the Company owns at least 50% of the Voting Stock; or

         (iii)    The election to the Board of Directors of the Company of the
                  lesser of (i) three directors or (ii) directors constituting a
                  majority of the number of directors of the Company then in
                  office, without the recommendation of the existing Board of
                  Directors.

         E.       ADDITIONAL BENEFITS

         The Executive will be entitled to participate in all compensation or
employee benefit plans or programs and receive all benefits and perquisites for
which any salaried executive employees are eligible under any existing or future
plan or program established by the Company for salaried executive employees. The
Executive will participate to the extent permissible under the terms and
provisions of such plans or programs in accordance with plan or program
provisions. These may include group hospitalization, health, dental care, life
or other insurance, tax qualified pension, savings, thrift and profit sharing
plans, termination pay programs, sick leave plans, travel or accident insurance,
short and long term disability insurance, and contingent compensation plans
including capital accumulation programs, restricted stock programs, stock


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purchase programs and stock option plans. Nothing in this Agreement will
preclude the Company from amending or terminating any of the plans or programs
applicable to salaried executive employees of the Company. Notwithstanding the
foregoing sentence, no such amendment or termination shall reduce or otherwise
adversely affect Executive's rights under Section IV C. of this Agreement. In
addition to the foregoing benefits, Executive shall be entitled to receive the
following:

         (i)      term life insurance of not less than $250,000; and

        (ii)      a paid vacation of four (4) weeks during each twelve (12)
                  month period during the Period of Employment.

         F.       RELOCATION

         The Company will provide an apartment for the Executive's exclusive
use, and reasonable living expenses for the Period of Employment through
December 31, 1999, and will reimburse the Executive for his or his wife's travel
expenses for one trip every other week to Omaha (for him) or Chicago (for her);
provided that if the Chief Executive Officer of the Company determines in good
faith that the interests of the Company would best be served by the Executive's
relocation to the Chicago area, then the Executive shall be required to so
relocate as soon as practicable, and the Company shall pay the Executive's
relocation expenses (including Realtor's fees on his Omaha, Nebraska residence
and reasonable moving costs and travel) but only to the extent they exceed fifty
percent (50%) of amount the Company paid the Executive for temporary living
expenses including the value of the apartment described in the first sentence
hereof. In addition, the Company shall provide the Executive with a tax gross-up
payment in an amount necessary to pay his federal and state income taxes
attributable to payments (and the value of such apartment) under this paragraph
F. (including taxes attributable to such gross-up payment).

         G.       ADJUSTMENTS

         Notwithstanding any provision here and to the contrary, the Company and
the Executive agree that the Board of Directors of the Company shall reevaluate
the Revenue and EPS Targets set forth in Section IV C. and D. as part of the
approval of the 1999 Operating Plan for the Company. To the extent deemed
necessary by the Board of Directors to align such targets with such Operating
Plan, such targets hereunder shall be adjusted.

                                    SECTION V
                                BUSINESS EXPENSES

         The Company will reimburse the Executive for all reasonable travel and
other expenses incurred by the Executive in connection with the performance of
his duties and responsibilities under this Agreement. Executive must support all
expenditures with customary receipts and expense reports subject to review by
the Company.

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                                   SECTION VI
                                   DISABILITY

         A.       PAYMENTS

         Executive's employment hereunder may be terminated by the Company if
(i) Executive becomes physically or mentally incapacitated, (ii) is unable for a
period of one hundred eighty (180) consecutive days to perform his material
duties and responsibilities and (iii) a determination is made regarding
Executive's continued incapacity by a physician appointed by the Company (such
continued incapacity is hereinafter referred to as "disability"). Upon any such
termination for disability, Executive shall be entitled to receive (i) his Base
Salary, as well as the annual incentive award, prorated in each case through the
date on which the Executive is first eligible to receive payment of long term
disability benefits in lieu of Base Salary under the Company's long term
disability benefit plan as then in effect covering the Executive, and (ii) his
accrued benefits under the terms of the plans, policies and procedures of the
Company.

         B.       ASSISTANCE TO THE COMPANY

         During the period the Executive is receiving payments of either regular
compensation or disability insurance benefits described in this Agreement and as
long as he is physically and mentally able to do so, the Executive will furnish
information and assistance to the Company and from time to time will make
himself available to the Company with respect to areas and matters in which he
was involved during his employment with the Company.

                                   SECTION VII
                                      DEATH

         In the event of the death of the Executive during the Period of
Employment, (i) Executive's estate shall be entitled to receive his Base Salary,
as well as the annual incentive award, prorated in each case through the date of
Executive's death, and (ii) Executive's designated beneficiary or estate, as the
case may be, shall be entitled to his accrued benefits, including, but not
limited to, life insurance proceeds, under the terms of the plans, policies and
procedures of the Company.

                                  SECTION VIII
                       EFFECT OF TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT

         A.       TERMINATION WITHOUT CAUSE

         If the Company terminates Executive's employment Without Cause 
during the Term of Employment, as defined in this Agreement, or the Term of 
Employment ends because the Company ends the automatic extension thereof 
under Section III A. of this Agreement, the 

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Company will pay to the Executive in a lump sum, his Base Salary for a period 
of twenty-four (24) months. Earned but unpaid Base Salary will be paid in a 
lump sum at the time of such termination. The Company also will pay the 
Executive in a lump sum upon such termination an amount equal to a prorated 
portion of the annual incentive award for the year in which the termination 
occurred. The benefits and perquisites described in this Agreement as in 
effect at the date of termination of employment will be continued for the 
then remaining Period of Employment.

         B.       TERMINATION WITH CAUSE

         If the Company terminates Executive With Cause, (i) Executive shall be
entitled to receive his Base Salary prorated through the date of Executive's
termination, and (ii) Executive shall be entitled to his accrued benefits under
the terms of the plans, policies and procedures of the Company.

         C.       EFFECT OF CERTAIN TERMINATIONS

         Upon termination of the Executive's employment for reasons other than
due to death, disability, or pursuant to Paragraph A of this Section, or upon
Executive's resignation, the Period of Employment and the Company's obligation
to make payments under this Agreement will cease as of the date of termination
except as expressly defined in this Agreement. Executive shall have the right to
voluntarily terminate this Agreement, other than for Good Reason or in
conjunction with a Change in Control, upon two weeks' prior notice to the
Company. If Executive voluntarily terminates his employment with the Company,
(i) Executive shall be entitled to receive his Base Salary prorated through the
date of Executive's voluntary termination, and (ii) Executive shall be entitled
to his accrued benefits under the terms of the plans, policies and procedures of
the Company.

         D.       DEFINITIONS

         For this Agreement, the following terms have the following meanings:

                  (1)  Termination "With Cause" means termination of the 
Executive's employment by the Company's Board of Directors acting in good 
faith by written notice by the Company to the Executive specifying the event 
relied upon for such termination, due to the Executive's serious, willful 
misconduct with respect to his duties under this Agreement, including, but 
not limited to, conviction for a felony or perpetration of a common law 
fraud, which has resulted or is likely to result in material economic damage 
to the Company.

                  (2)  Termination "Without Cause" means termination by the 
Company of the Executive's employment other than due to death, disability, or 
termination With Cause.

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<PAGE>

                                   SECTION IX
                      OTHER DUTIES OF THE EXECUTIVE DURING
                       AND AFTER THE PERIOD OF EMPLOYMENT

         A.       COOPERATION DURING AND AFTER EMPLOYMENT

         The Executive will, with reasonable notice during or after the Period
of Employment, furnish information as may be in his possession and cooperate
with the Company as may reasonably be requested in connection with any claims or
legal actions in which the Company is or may become a party.

         B.       CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION

         The Executive recognizes and acknowledges that all information
pertaining to the affairs, business, clients, customers or other relationships
of the Company, as hereinafter defined, is confidential and is a unique and
valuable asset of the Company. Access to and knowledge of this information are
essential to the performance of the Executive's duties under this Agreement. The
Executive will not during the Period of Employment or after, except to the
extent reasonably necessary in performance of the duties under this Agreement,
give to any person, firm, association, corporation or governmental agency any
information concerning the affairs, business, clients, customers or other
relationships of the Company, except as required by law. The Executive will not
make use of this type of information for his own purposes or for the benefit of
any person or organization other than the Company. The Executive will also use
his best efforts to prevent the disclosure of this information by others. All
records, memoranda, etc., relating to the business of the Company, whether made
by the Executive or otherwise coming into his possession, are confidential and
will remain the property of the Company.

         C.       CERTAIN RESTRICTED ACTIVITIES

         During the Period of Employment and for a one (1) year period 
thereafter, the Executive will not use his status with the Company to obtain 
goods or services from another organization other than in the ordinary course 
of business. During the Period of Employment and for a one (1) year period 
following termination of the Period of Employment: the Executive will not 
make any statements or perform any acts intended to advance the interest of 
any existing or prospective competitors of the Company in any way that will 
injure the interest of the Company; the Executive, without prior express 
written approval by the Board of Directors of the Company, will not directly 
or indirectly own or hold any proprietary interest in or be employed by or 
receive compensation from any party engaged in the same or any similar 
business in the same geographic areas the Company does business; and the 
Executive, without express prior written approval from the Board of 
Directors, will not solicit any members of the then current customers, 
clients or suppliers of the Company or discuss with any employee of the 
Company information or operation of any business intended to compete with the 
Company. For the purposes of the Agreement, proprietary interest means legal 
or equitable ownership, whether through stock holdings or otherwise, of a 
debt or equity interest (including options, warrants, rights and 

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convertible interest) in a business firm or entity, or ownership of more than 
2% of any class of equity interest in a publicly-held company. The Executive 
acknowledges that the covenants contained herein are reasonable as to 
geographic and temporal scope. For a twelve (12) month period after 
termination of the Period of Employment for any reason, the Executive will 
not hire any employee of the Company or solicit, other than by means of a 
general solicitation to the public such as a newspaper advertisement, or 
encourage any such employee to leave the employ of the Company.

         D.       REMEDIES

         The Executive acknowledges that his breach or threatened or attempted
breach of any provision of Section IX would cause irreparable harm to the
Company not compensable in monetary damages and that the Company shall be
entitled, in addition to all other applicable remedies, to a temporary and
permanent injunction and a decree for specific performance of the terms of
Section IX without being required to prove damages or furnish any bond or other
security. The Executive hereby acknowledge the necessity of protection against
the competition of, and certain other possible adverse actions by, the Executive
and that the nature and scope of such protection has been carefully considered
by the parties. The period provided and the area covered are expressly
represented and agreed to be fair, reasonable and necessary. If, however, any
court or arbitrator determines that the restrictions described herein are not
reasonable, the court or arbitration panel may modify, rewrite or interpret such
restrictions to include as much of their nature and scope as will render them
enforceable.

                                    SECTION X
                           INDEMNIFICATION, LITIGATION

         The Company will indemnify the Executive to the fullest extent
permitted by the laws of the state of incorporation in effect at that time, or
certificate of incorporation and by-laws of the Company whichever affords the
greater protection to the Executive. The Company will use its best efforts to
obtain and maintain customary directors and officers liability insurance,
covering Executive. The foregoing indemnification shall continue to apply
following termination of the Period of Employment for actions or omissions
during the Period of Employment.

                                   SECTION XI
                                WITHHOLDING TAXES

         The Company may directly or indirectly withhold from any payments under
this Agreement all federal, state, city or other taxes that shall be required
pursuant to any law or governmental regulation.

                                   SECTION XII
                           EFFECT OF PRIOR AGREEMENTS

         This Agreement contains the entire understanding between the Company
and the Executive with respect to the subject matter and supersedes any prior
employment, severance, or 

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other similar agreements between the Company, its predecessors and its 
affiliates, and the Executive.

                                  SECTION XIII
                                  MODIFICATION

         Subject to Section IV G., this Agreement may not be modified or amended
except in writing signed by the parties. No term or condition of this Agreement
will be deemed to have been waived, except in writing by the party charged with
waiver. A waiver shall operate only as to the specific term or condition waived
and will not constitute a waiver for the future or act on anything other than
that which is specifically waived.

                                   SECTION XIV
                           GOVERNING LAW; ARBITRATION

         This Agreement and its validity, interpretation, performance and
enforcement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Illinois, without
giving effect to the choice of law provisions thereof.

         Any dispute among the parties hereto shall be settled by arbitration in
accordance with the then applicable rules of the American Arbitration
Association and judgment upon the award rendered may be entered in any court
having jurisdiction thereof.

                                   SECTION XV
                                     NOTICES

         All notices, requests, consents and other communications hereunder
shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been made when delivered or
mailed first-class postage prepaid by registered mail, return receipt requested,
or when delivered if by hand, overnight delivery services or confirmed facsimile
transmission, to the following:

          (a)   If to the Company, at:

                Alternative Resources Corporation
                100 Tri-State International, Suite 300
                Lincolnshire, IL 60069
                Attention: Chairperson, Governance Committee of Board 
                           of Directors

or at such other address as may have been furnished to the Executive by the 
Company in writing, or

          (b)   If to the Executive, at:

                1650 So. 186th Circle


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                Omaha, NE 68130

or such other address as may have been furnished to the Company by the 
Executive in writing.

                                   SECTION XVI
                                BINDING AGREEMENT

         This Agreement shall be binding on the parties' successors, heirs and
assigns.

                                  SECTION XVII
                                  MISCELLANEOUS

         A.       MULTIPLE COUNTERPARTS

         This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in multiple counterparts
each of the same force and effect.

         B.       SEVERABILITY

         If any phrase, clause or provision of this Agreement is declared
invalid or unenforceable by an arbitrator or court of competent jurisdiction,
such phrase, clause or provision shall be deemed severed from this Agreement,
but will not affect any other provisions of this Agreement, which shall
otherwise remain in full force and effect. In addition, there will be
automatically substituted herein for such severed phrase, clause or provision a
phrase, clause or provision as similar as possible which is valid and
enforceable.

         C.       HEADINGS

         The headings and subheadings of this Agreement are inserted for
convenience of reference only and are not to be considered in construction of
the provisions hereof.

         D.       CONSTRUCTION


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<PAGE>

         The Company and the Executive acknowledge that this Agreement was the
result of arm's-length negotiations between sophisticated parties each
represented by legal counsel. Each and every provision of this Agreement shall
be construed as though both parties participated equally in the drafting of
same, and any rule of construction that a document shall be construed against
the drafting party shall not be applicable to this Agreement.

         E.       SURVIVORSHIP

         The provisions of Sections IV-XVII shall survive the termination or
expiration of this Agreement.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Agreement as of
the date first above written.

                                 COMPANY

                                 ALTERNATIVE RESOURCES CORPORATION


                                 By:   /s/ RAYMOND R. HIPP
                                       ----------------------------------------
                                       Raymond R. Hipp, Chief Executive Officer
                                       and President


                                 EXECUTIVE


                                       /s/ STEVEN PURCELL
                                       ----------------------------------------
                                       Steven Purcell





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