Document:

<Page>

                                                                    EXHIBIT 4.12

                                PLEDGE AGREEMENT

        THIS AGREEMENT, dated as of January 31, 2002 by and among Alternative
Resources Corporation, a Delaware corporation, ARC Service, Inc., a Delaware
corporation, ARC Solutions, Inc., a Delaware corporation, ARC Midholding, Inc.,
a Delaware corporation, and Writers Inc., a California corporation (hereinafter
collectively referred to as the "PLEDGORS"), each having an address at 600 Hart
Road, Suite 300, Barrington, Illinois 60010, and Fleet Capital Corporation (the
"LENDER"), having an address at One Federal Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110.

                              WITNESSETH:

        WHEREAS, each Pledgor is a borrower under the terms of a Credit and
Security Agreement among the Borrowers and Lender (as amended, supplemented or
otherwise modified from time to time, the "CREDIT AGREEMENT") pursuant to which
the Lender has agreed, subject to the terms and conditions set forth therein, to
make certain loans and extensions of credit to and for the account of the
Borrowers; and

             WHEREAS, each Pledgor owns the percentage of the outstanding
shares of capital stock of the companies listed on SCHEDULE I hereto as set
forth on such SCHEDULE I hereto and is holder of certain other instruments and
securities (such companies and the issuers of such instruments and securities,
collectively called the "LISTED COMPANIES"); and

        WHEREAS, the obligation of the Lender to make loans and extend credit to
and for the account of the Borrowers is subject to the conditions, among others,
that each Pledgor shall execute and deliver this Agreement and grant the pledge
and security interest hereinafter described;

        NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the willingness of the Lender to
enter into the Credit Agreement and to make loans and extend credit to and for
the account of the Borrowers thereunder, and for other good and valuable
consideration, receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, it is hereby agreed as
follows:

        1.   DEFINED TERMS. Except as otherwise expressly defined herein, all
capitalized terms shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Credit
Agreement.

        2.   SECURITY INTEREST. Each Pledgor hereby deposits with, and pledges
to, the Lender (a) all investment property which such Pledgor holds in the
Listed Companies which are listed on SCHEDULE I, including, without limitation,
the shares of capital stock of the Listed Companies as listed on SCHEDULE I
attached hereto (the "PLEDGED EQUITY") (together with the appropriate powers
duly endorsed in blank), and (b) the promissory notes payable to the Pledgors as
listed in SCHEDULE II attached hereto (the "PLEDGED NOTES") (together with the
appropriate allonges duly endorsed in blank), and each Pledgor hereby grants to
the Lender a security interest in all of the Pledged Equity and the Pledged
Notes and any additional investment property, securities or collateral from time
to time held by the Pledgors (collectively, the "PLEDGED COLLATERAL") as
security for the due and punctual payment and performance of the Secured
Obligations described in Section 3 hereof.

        3.   SECURED OBLIGATIONS. The security interest hereby granted shall
secure the due and punctual payment and performance of the Obligations and all
other Indebtedness, liabilities and obligations of any of the Borrowers to the
Lender, the Issuing Lender or the Cash Management Bank, whether direct or
indirect, absolute or contingent, due or to become due or now existing or
hereafter arising, including, without limitation, any and all other fees,
premiums, penalties, any and all obligations

<Page>

of any of the Pledgors under any Hedging Agreements, in each case in connection
with the Credit Agreement, this Agreement and the other Loan Documents
(collectively, the "SECURED OBLIGATIONS").

        4.   SPECIAL WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS OF THE PLEDGORS. Each Pledgor
hereby warrants and covenants to the Lender with respect to the Pledged
Collateral for which it is the "Pledgor," as set forth on SCHEDULE I or
SCHEDULE II, as applicable, that:

             (a)   The Pledged Collateral is duly and validly pledged with the
Lender in accordance with law, upon delivery of the applicable stock
certificates and/or instruments, the Lender will have a First Priority security
interest in such Pledged Collateral, and each Pledgor warrants and will defend
the Lender's right, title and security interest in and to the Pledged Collateral
against the claims and demands of all Persons whomsoever.

             (b)   Each Pledgor has good title to the Pledged Collateral, free
and clear of all Liens, except as expressly set forth in or permitted under the
Credit Agreement.

             (c)   All of the Pledged Equity has been, to the knowledge of the
Pledgors, duly and validly issued and is fully paid and nonassessable.

             (d)   The Pledged Equity constitutes the amount and percentage of
shares of the presently issued and outstanding capital stock of the Listed
Companies as set forth on SCHEDULE I.

             (e)   If any additional shares of capital stock of any class of the
Listed Companies or if any promissory notes of the Listed Companies or other
securities of the Listed Companies are acquired by any Pledgor after the date
hereof, the same shall constitute Pledged Collateral and shall be deposited with
and pledged to the Lender as provided in Section 2 hereof simultaneously with
such acquisition. The Pledgors will promptly notify the Lender of the date and
amount of any loans made from time to time by the Pledgors to the Listed
Companies as permitted by the Credit Agreement.

             (f)   No Pledgor will sell, convey or otherwise dispose of any of
the Pledged Collateral, nor will any Pledgor create, incur or permit to exist
any Lien with respect to any of the Pledged Collateral or the proceeds thereof,
other than Liens with respect to the Pledged Collateral created hereby or Liens
which are otherwise permitted under the Loan Documents and permitted by the
Credit Agreement.

             (g)   No Pledgor will consent to or approve the issuance of any
additional shares of capital stock of any class of the Listed Companies, except
for the issuance of additional shares of capital stock to such Pledgor as
permitted by and in accordance with the terms of the Credit Agreement, provided
that any such additional shares of capital stock shall be deposited with and
pledged to the Lender simultaneously with such issuance as provided in Section 2
hereof.

             (h)   The Pledged Notes evidence the amount of outstanding
indebtedness for money borrowed of the respective issuers thereof indicated on
SCHEDULE II hereto.

             (i)   If any additional promissory notes are acquired by any
Pledgor from the issuers of the Pledged Notes or any other Person, the same
shall constitute Pledged Notes and Pledged Collateral and shall be deposited
with and pledged to the Lender as provided in Section 2 hereof simultaneously
with such acquisition. The Pledgors will promptly notify the Lender of any loans
made from time to time to such issuers as permitted by the Credit Agreement.

<Page>

        5.   DISTRIBUTIONS. In case, upon the dissolution, winding up,
liquidation or reorganization of the Listed Companies whether in bankruptcy,
insolvency or receivership proceedings or upon an assignment for the benefit of
creditors or any other marshaling of the assets and liabilities of the Listed
Companies or otherwise, any sum shall be paid or any property shall be
distributed upon or with respect to any of the Pledged Collateral, such sum
shall be paid over to the Lender as security for the Secured Obligations. In
case any stock dividend shall be declared on any of the Pledged Collateral, or
any share of stock or fraction thereof shall be issued pursuant to any stock
split involving any of the Pledged Collateral, or any distribution of capital or
profits shall be made on any of the Pledged Collateral, or any property shall be
distributed upon or with respect to the Pledged Collateral, the limited
partnership interests, limited liability company interests, shares, cash or
other property so distributed shall be delivered to the Lender as collateral
security for the Secured Obligations.

        6.   EVENTS OF DEFAULT. The Pledgors shall be in default under this
Agreement upon the happening of any Event of Default, as defined in the Credit
Agreement (herein called an "EVENT OF DEFAULT").

        7.   RIGHTS AND REMEDIES OF SECURED PARTIES. Upon the occurrence and
during the continuance of an Event of Default, the Lender shall have the
following rights and remedies:

             (a)   All rights and remedies provided by law, including, without
limitation, those provided by the Uniform Commercial Code;

             (b)   All rights and remedies provided in this Agreement; and

             (c)   All rights and remedies provided in the Credit Agreement
or in the other Loan Documents, or in any other agreement, document or
instrument pertaining to the Secured Obligations.

        8.   RIGHT TO TRANSFER INTO NAME OF LENDER, ETC. Upon the
occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, but subject to the
provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code or other applicable law, the Lender
may cause all or any of the Pledged Collateral to be transferred into its name
or into the name of its nominee or nominees. So long as no Event of Default
shall have occurred and be continuing, each Pledgor shall be entitled to
exercise as such Pledgor shall deem fit, but in a manner not inconsistent with
the terms hereof or of the Secured Obligations, the voting power with respect to
the Pledged Collateral.

        9.   RIGHT OF LENDER TO EXERCISE VOTING POWER, ETC. Upon the
occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, the Lender shall
be entitled to exercise the voting power with respect to the Pledged Collateral,
to receive and retain, as collateral security for the Secured Obligations, any
and all dividends or other distributions at any time and from time to time
declared or made upon any of the Pledged Collateral, and to exercise any and all
rights of payment, conversion, exchange, subscription or any other rights,
privileges or options pertaining to the Pledged Collateral as if it were the
absolute owner thereof, including, without limitation, the right to exchange, at
its discretion, any and all of the Pledged Collateral upon the merger,
consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization or other readjustment of the
Listed Companies or, upon the exercise of any such right, privilege or option
pertaining to the Pledged Collateral, and in connection therewith, to deposit
and deliver any and all of the Pledged Collateral with any committee,
depositary, transfer agent, registrar or other designated agency upon such terms
and conditions as the Lender may determine, all without liability except to
account for property actually received, but the Lender shall have no duty to
exercise any of the aforesaid rights, privileges or options and shall not be
responsible for any failure to do so or delay in so doing.

<Page>

        10.  RIGHT OF LENDER TO DISPOSE OF COLLATERAL, ETC. Upon the
occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, the Lender shall
have the right at any time or times thereafter to sell, resell, assign and
deliver all or any of the Pledged Collateral in one or more parcels at any
exchange or broker's board or at public or private sale. Unless the Pledged
Collateral is perishable or threatens to decline speedily in value or is of a
type customarily sold on a recognized market, the Lender will give the Pledgors
at least ten (10) days' prior written notice in accordance with Section 20
hereof of the time and place of any public sale thereof or of the time after
which any private sale or any other intended disposition of any of the Pledged
Collateral is to be made. Any such notice shall be deemed to meet any
requirement hereunder or under any applicable law (including the Uniform
Commercial Code) that reasonable notification be given of the time and place of
such sale or other disposition. Such notice may be given without any demand of
performance or other demand, all such demands being hereby expressly waived by
each Pledgor. All such sales shall be at such commercially reasonable price or
prices as the Lender shall reasonably deem best and either for cash or on credit
or for future delivery (without assuming any responsibility for credit risk). At
any such sale or sales, the Lender may purchase any or all of the Pledged
Collateral to be sold thereat upon such terms as the Lender may deem best. Upon
any such sale or sales, the Pledged Collateral so purchased shall be held by the
purchaser absolutely free from any claims or rights of whatsoever kind or
nature, including any equity of redemption and any similar rights, all such
equity of redemption and any similar rights being hereby expressly waived and
released by each Pledgor. In the event any consent, approval or authorization of
any governmental agency will be necessary to effectuate any such sale or sales,
each Pledgor shall execute, and hereby agrees to cause the Listed Companies to
execute, all such applications or other instruments as may be required.

        Each Pledgor recognizes that the Lender may be unable to effect a public
sale of all or a part of the Pledged Collateral by reason of certain
prohibitions contained in the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Securities Act") or otherwise but may be compelled to resort to one or more
private sales to a restricted group of purchasers, each of whom will be
obligated to agree, among other things, to acquire such Pledged Collateral for
its own account, for investment and not with a view to the distribution or
resale thereof. Each Pledgor acknowledges that private sales so made may be at
prices and upon other terms less favorable to the seller than if such Pledged
Collateral were sold at public sales without such restrictions, and that the
Lender has no obligation to delay sale of any such Pledged Collateral for the
period of time necessary to permit such Pledged Collateral to be registered for
public sale under the Securities Act. Each Pledgor agrees that any such private
sales shall not be deemed to have been made in a commercially unreasonable
manner solely because they shall have been made under the foregoing
circumstances.

        11.  COLLECTION OF AMOUNTS PAYABLE ON ACCOUNT OF PLEDGED COLLATERAL,
ETC. Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, the
Lender may, but without obligation to do so, demand, sue for and/or collect any
money or property at any time due, payable or receivable, to which it may be
entitled hereunder, on account of, or in exchange for, any of the Pledged
Collateral and shall have the right, for and in the name, place and stead of
each Pledgor, to execute endorsements, assignments or other instruments of
conveyance or transfer with respect to all or any of the Pledged Collateral.

        12.  CARE OF PLEDGED COLLATERAL IN LENDER'S POSSESSION. Beyond the
exercise of reasonable care to assure the safe custody of the Pledged Collateral
while held hereunder, the Lender shall have no duty or liability to collect any
sums due in respect thereof or to protect or preserve rights pertaining thereto,
and shall be relieved of all responsibility for the Pledged Collateral upon
surrendering the same to the Pledgors.

        13.  PROCEEDS OF COLLATERAL. The proceeds of any sale or sales of
the Pledged Collateral, together with any other additional collateral security
at the time received and held hereunder, shall be

<Page>

received and applied: FIRST, to the payment of all reasonable costs and expenses
of such sale, including reasonable attorneys' fees; SECOND, to the payment of
the Secured Obligations by the Lender in accordance with the terms of the Credit
Agreement; and THIRD, any surplus thereafter remaining shall be paid to the
Pledgors or to whomever may be legally entitled thereto (including, if
applicable, any subordinated creditor of the Listed Companies or the Pledgors).
By way of enlargement and not by way of limitation of the rights of the Lender
under applicable law or the Credit Agreement or other Loan Documents, the Lender
shall allocate the proceeds of the Pledged Collateral to the Secured Obligations
(including without limitation the Loans) in accordance with the terms of the
Credit Agreement. In the event the proceeds of any sale, lease or other
disposition of the Pledged Collateral hereunder are insufficient to pay all of
the Secured Obligations in full, each Pledgor will be liable for the deficiency,
together with interest thereon at the maximum rate provided in the Credit
Agreement, and the reasonable cost and expenses of collection of such
deficiency, including (to the extent permitted by law), without limitation,
reasonable attorneys' fees, expenses and disbursements.

        14.  CREDIT AGREEMENT. Notwithstanding any other provision of this
Agreement, the rights of the parties hereunder are subject to the provisions of
the Credit Agreement, including the provisions thereof pertaining to the rights
and responsibilities of the Lender. In the event that any provision of this
Agreement is in conflict with the terms of the Credit Agreement, the Credit
Agreement shall control.

        15.  WAIVERS, ETC. Each Pledgor hereby waives presentment, demand,
notice, protest and, except as is otherwise provided herein, all other demands
and notices in connection with this Agreement or the enforcement of the Lender's
rights hereunder or in connection with any Secured Obligations or any Pledged
Collateral; consents to and waives notice of the granting of renewals,
extensions of time for payment or other indulgences to the Listed Companies or
the Pledgors or to any third party, or substitution, release or surrender of any
collateral security for any Secured Obligation, the addition or release of
Persons primarily or secondarily liable on any Secured Obligation or on any
collateral security for any Secured Obligation, the acceptance of partial
payments on any Secured Obligation or on any collateral security for any Secured
Obligation and/or the settlement or compromise thereof. No delay or omission on
the part of the Lender in exercising any right hereunder shall operate as a
waiver of such right or of any other right hereunder. Any waiver of any such
right on any one occasion shall not be construed as a bar to or waiver of any
such right on any future occasion. EACH PLEDGOR FURTHER WAIVES ANY RIGHT IT MAY
HAVE UNDER THE LAWS OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS, UNDER THE LAWS OF ANY
STATE IN WHICH ANY OF THE PLEDGED COLLATERAL MAY BE LOCATED, OR UNDER THE LAWS
OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, TO NOTICE (OTHER THAN ANY REQUIREMENT OF NOTICE
PROVIDED HEREIN) OR TO A JUDICIAL HEARING PRIOR TO THE EXERCISE OF ANY RIGHT OR
REMEDY PROVIDED BY THIS AGREEMENT TO THE LENDER AND WAIVES ITS RIGHTS, IF ANY,
TO SET ASIDE OR INVALIDATE ANY SALE DULY CONSUMMATED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
FOREGOING PROVISIONS HEREOF ON THE GROUNDS (IF SUCH BE THE CASE) THAT THE SALE
WAS CONSUMMATED WITHOUT A PRIOR JUDICIAL HEARING. Each Pledgor's waivers under
this Section have been made voluntarily, intelligently and knowingly and after
such Pledgor has been apprized and counseled by its attorneys as to the nature
thereof and its possible alternative rights.

        16.  TERMINATION; ASSIGNMENT, ETC. When all the Secured Obligations
have been paid in full and have been terminated and the commitment of the Lender
to make any loan or extend any credit under the Credit Agreement has terminated
or expired and no Letters of Credit remain outstanding, this Agreement and the
security interest in the Pledged Collateral created hereby shall terminate. No
waiver by the Lender or by any other holder of Secured Obligations of any
default shall be effective unless in writing nor operate as a waiver of any
other default or of the same default on a future occasion. In the event of a
sale or assignment by the Lender of all or any of the Secured Obligations held
by it, the Lender

<Page>

(or any assignee of the Lender) may assign or transfer its rights and interest
under this Agreement in whole or in part to the purchaser or purchasers of such
Secured Obligations, whereupon such purchaser or purchasers shall become vested
with all of the powers and rights of the Lender hereunder.

        17.  REINSTATEMENT. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 16,
of this Agreement shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case
may be, if at any time any amount received by the Lender in respect of the
Secured Obligations is rescinded or must otherwise be restored or returned by
the Lender upon the insolvency, bankruptcy, dissolution, liquidation or
reorganization of any of the Listed Companies, any Pledgor or upon the
appointment of any intervener or conservator of, or trustee or similar official
for, the Listed Companies or any Pledgor, or any substantial part of their
respective properties, or otherwise, all as though such payments had not been
made.

        18.  GOVERNMENTAL APPROVALS, ETC. Upon the exercise by the Lender
any power, right, privilege or remedy pursuant to this Agreement which requires
any consent, approval, qualification or authorization of any governmental
authority or instrumentality, each Pledgor will execute and deliver, or will
cause the execution and delivery of, all applications, certificates, instruments
and other documents and papers that the Lender may be required to obtain for
such governmental consent, approval, qualification or authorization.

        19.  RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER, ETC. To the extent that any
restrictions imposed by the charter or by-laws of any of the Listed Companies or
any other document or instrument would in any way affect or impair the pledge of
the Pledged Collateral hereunder or the exercise by the Lender of any right
granted hereunder, including, without limitation, the right of the Lender to
dispose of the Pledged Collateral upon the occurrence and during the continuance
of an Event of Default, each Pledgor hereby waives such restrictions to the
extent permitted under applicable law, and represents and warrants that it has
caused the Listed Companies to take all necessary action to waive such
restrictions, and each Pledgor hereby agrees that it will take any further
action which the Lender may reasonably request in order that the Lender may
obtain and enjoy the full rights and benefits granted to the Lender by this
Agreement free of any such restrictions.

        20.  NOTICES. All notices, consents, approvals, elections and
other communications hereunder shall be in writing (whether or not the other
provisions of this Agreement expressly so provide) and shall be deemed to have
been duly given if delivered in accordance with the terms of the Credit
Agreement.

        21.  MISCELLANEOUS. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of
and be binding upon the Lender and each Pledgor and their respective successors
and assigns, and the term "Lender" shall be deemed to include any other holder
or holders of any of the Secured Obligations. In case any provision in this
Agreement shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and
enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or
impaired thereby. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts
and by the different parties hereto on separate counterparts, each of which
shall be an original, but all of which together shall constitute one instrument.

        22.  GOVERNING LAW; JURISDICTION; WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL.

             (a)   This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and
governed by the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

             (b)   Each party hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally
submits, for itself and its property, to the nonexclusive jurisdiction of the
courts of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts and of the United States District
Court for the District of Massachusetts, and any appellate court from any
thereof, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this
Agreement or the other Loan

<Page>

Documents, or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment, and each of the
parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that all claims in
respect of any such action or proceeding may be heard and determined in such
Massachusetts court (or, to the extent permitted by law, in such Federal court).
Each of the parties hereto agrees that a final judgment in any such action or
proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by
suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law. Nothing in this
Agreement shall affect any right that the Lender may otherwise have to bring any
action or proceeding relating to this Agreement against the Borrowers or any of
their properties in the courts of any jurisdiction.

             (c)   Each party hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally
waives, to the fullest extent it may legally and effectively do so, any
objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any suit,
action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the other
Loan Documents in any court referred to in paragraph (b) of this Section 22.
Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent
permitted by law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of
such action or proceeding in any such court.

             (d)   Each party to this Agreement irrevocably consents to service
of process in the manner provided for notices in the Credit Agreement. Nothing
in this Agreement will affect the right of any party to this Agreement to serve
process in any other manner permitted by law.

             (e)   EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT
PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY
LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS
AGREEMENT OR THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY
OTHER THEORY). EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, LENDER OR
ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH
OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING
WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN
INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS
AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 22.

<Page>

        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as a
sealed instrument as of the date first above written.

                             PLEDGORS:

                             ALTERNATIVE RESOURCES CORPORATION

                             By: /s/ Steven Purcell
                                 ------------------
                             Name:   Steven Purcell
                             Title:  Senior Vice President and Chief Financial
                                     Officer

                             ARC SERVICE, INC.

                             By: /s/ Steven Purcell
                                 ------------------
                             Name:   Steven Purcell
                             Title:  Vice President and Secretary

                             ARC SOLUTIONS, INC.

                             By: /s/ Steven Purcell
                                 ------------------
                             Name:   Steven Purcell
                             Title:  Vice President and Secretary

                             ARC MIDHOLDING, INC.

                             By: /s/ Steven Purcell
                                 ------------------
                             Name:   Steven Purcell
                             Title:  Vice President and Secretary

                             WRITERS INC.

                             By: /s/ Steven Purcell
                                 ------------------
                             Name:   Steven Purcell
                             Title:  Vice President and Secretary

<Page>

                             LENDER:

                             FLEET CAPITAL CORPORATION

                             By: /s/ Christopher Godfrey
                                 -----------------------
                             Name:   Christopher Godfrey
                             Title:  Senior Vice President

<Page>

                                                                      SCHEDULE I
                                                           (to Pledge Agreement)

                                  PLEDGED STOCK

<Table>
<Caption>
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                   NO. AND             % OF TOTAL  CERTIFICATE
          PLEDGOR                    LISTED COMPANY            CLASS OF SHARES           SHARES       NO.(S)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                              <C>                     <C>                              <C>          <C>
Alternative Resources            ARC Service, Inc.                100 common              100%          1
Corporation
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alternative Resources            ARC Solutions, Inc.        72,654 Class A common         100%          A2
Corporation                      (f/k/a CGI Systems,        16,020 Class A common                       A3
                                 Inc.)                      684,166 Class A common                     A11
                                                             6,536 Class B common                       B9
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alternative Resources            ARC Midholding, Inc.           70,000 common             100%          1
Corporation                      (f/k/a CGI              1,510,000 Class A Preferred                    3
                                 Corporation)            2,800,000 Class A Preferred                    5
                                                          950,000 Class B Preferred                     12
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alternative Resources            Writers Inc.                    1000 common              100%          3
Corporation
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</Table>

<Page>

                                                                     SCHEDULE II
                                                           (to Pledge Agreement)

                                 PLEDGED NOTES

                                      None.<Page>

                                                                    EXHIBIT 4.13

                             STOCK PLEDGE AGREEMENT

        This STOCK PLEDGE AGREEMENT (this "PLEDGE AGREEMENT"), dated as of
January 31, 2002, is among Alternative Resources Corporation, a Delaware
corporation ("PLEDGOR"), and Wynnchurch Capital Partners, L.P., a Delaware
limited partnership ("Wynnchurch") and Wynnchurch Capital partners Canada, L.P.,
an Alberta, Canada limited partnership ("Wynnchurch Canada") (each of Wynnchurch
and Wynnchurch Canada, a "PLEDGEE" and, collectively, the "PLEDGEES").

                                    RECITALS

        A.   Pledgor and Pledgees have entered into a Securities Purchase
Agreement of even date herewith (as the same may be amended, modified,
supplemented or restated from time to time, the "SECURITIES PURCHASE
AGREEMENT"), pursuant to which Pledgor has issued the Notes and Warrants subject
to the terms and conditions set forth in the Securities Purchase Agreement.

        B.   Pledgor  owns 100% of the issued and outstanding capital stock of
the Pledged Companies (as defined below).

        C.   One of the conditions precedent to Pledgees' obligations to
enter into the Securities Purchase Agreement and purchase the Notes and Warrants
is that Pledgor shall have executed and delivered this Pledge Agreement to
secure the payment and performance of the Pledgor's Obligations.

        NOW, THEREFORE, in order to induce Pledgees to enter into the
Securities Purchase Agreement, and for other good and valuable consideration,
the receipt and sufficiency of which hereby are acknowledged, Pledgor and both
Pledgee hereby agree as follows:

        1.   DEFINITIONS. All capitalized terms used but not elsewhere defined
in this Pledge Agreement shall have the respective meanings ascribed to such
terms in the Securities Purchase Agreement with reference to the other
Investment Agreements as necessary. The following terms shall have the following
meanings in this Pledge Agreement:

             COLLATERAL means the Securities and all additional securities of
        the Pledged Companies or any successor in interest to the Pledged
        Companies and other property and assets to which Pledgor or any
        successor in interest to Pledgor (with or without additional
        consideration) is or becomes entitled by virtue of the ownership by
        Pledgor or its successor in interest of any of the Securities or as the
        result of any corporate reorganization, merger, consolidation, stock
        split, conversion, preemptive right or otherwise, and the proceeds
        thereof.

             INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT means the Intercreditor and Subordination
        Agreement dated as of January 31, 2002 among the Pledgees, the Pledgor,
        ARC Service, Inc., ARC Solutions, Inc., ARC Midholding, Inc., Writers,
        Inc. and FCC.

<Page>

             PLEDGED COMPANIES means, collectively, (i) ARC Service, Inc., a
        Delaware corporation, (ii) ARC Solutions, Inc., a Delaware corporation,
        (iii) ARC Midholding, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and (iv) Writers,
        Inc., a California corporation.

             PLEDGORS' OBLIGATIONS: (i) any and all indebtedness, due or to
        become due, now existing or hereafter arising, of Pledgor to Pledgees
        pursuant to the terms of the Notes and (ii) the performance of the
        covenants of Pledgor contained in the Notes.

             SECURITIES: all of the capital stock of the Pledged Companies
        and any warrants, options or other rights to purchase the capital stock
        of the Pledged Companies described in Exhibit A hereto, and duly
        executed assignments separate from certificates, in form attached hereto
        as Exhibit B.

        2.   PLEDGE OF COLLATERAL. In order to secure Pledgor's Obligations,
Pledgor hereby pledges, assigns and grants to both Pledgees a Lien in all
Collateral now owned or hereafter acquired by Pledgor.

        3.   REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS. Pledgor hereby
represents, warrants and covenants to both Pledgees that (i) the Collateral
represents 100% of the issued and outstanding capital stock and warrants,
options and other rights to purchase capital stock of the Pledged Companies,
(ii) Pledgor is the legal and beneficial owner of the Collateral pledged by
Pledgor to Pledgees pursuant to this Pledge Agreement, (iii) the Collateral is
validly issued (except for Writers, Inc., as to which no representation is given
hereunder), fully paid and non-assessable and is registered in the name of
Pledgor, (iv) the pledge of the Collateral pursuant to the terms of this Pledge
Agreement creates a valid, and, upon the delivery of certificates representing
the Securities to or as directed by Pledgees, a perfected, Lien on the
Collateral in favor of Pledgees, second only to the Lien in the Collateral in
favor of FCC and any other Lien permitted as a prior Lien pursuant to the terms
of the Securities Purchase Agreement, (v) none of the Collateral is subject to
any Lien of any kind whatsoever, except for the first Lien granted to FCC, the
second Lien granted to Pledgees hereby and any other Liens thereon permitted
pursuant to the terms of the Securities Purchase Agreement, (vi) no
authorization, approval or other action by, or notice to or filing with, any
governmental body is required for the pledge by Pledgor of such Collateral
pursuant to the terms of this Pledge Agreement and (vii) until all of Pledgor's
Obligations have been paid and performed in full, such Pledgor: (A) will not
create or permit to exist any Lien upon or with respect to such Collateral,
except for the first Lien thereon granted to FCC pursuant to the terms of the
Credit Agreement and subject to the provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement,
the second Lien thereon granted to Pledgees by this Pledge Agreement, any other
Liens thereon permitted pursuant to the terms of the Securities Purchase
Agreement and (B) will not sell, transfer, convey, assign, or otherwise divest
Pledgor's interest in such Collateral, or any part thereof, to any other person
or entity except as a result of a merger or consolidation of a Pledged Company
with the Pledgor or another Pledged Company. Pledgor further represents and
warrants to each Pledgee that Pledgor's address for notice purposes and the
state and county of Pledgor's chief executive office is set forth on Exhibit C
hereto.

                                      - 2 -
<Page>

        4.   ADDITIONAL SECURITIES; STOCK SPLITS; STOCK DIVIDENDS.

             4.1   ADDITIONAL SECURITIES. Pledgor agrees that in the event that
        Pledgor, by virtue of the ownership by Pledgor of the Collateral, now
        is, or hereafter becomes, entitled (with or without additional
        consideration) to other or additional capital stock as the result of any
        reorganization, merger, consolidation, stock split, stock dividend,
        conversion, exercise of warrant or preemptive right or otherwise,
        Pledgor shall:

                   4.1.1   DELIVERY. Cause the issuer of such additional capital
             stock to deliver to or as directed by Pledgees all certificates and
             other documents, if any, evidencing the ownership by Pledgor of
             such additional capital stock and hereby authorizes and empowers
             Pledgees to demand the same from such issuer, and agrees if such
             certificates and other documents are delivered to Pledgor, to take
             possession thereof in trust for Pledgees;

                   4.1.2   UCC FINANCING STATEMENTS AND ASSIGNMENTS SEPARATE
             FROM CERTIFICATE. Deliver (i) to Pledgees such UCC financing
             statements and other documents executed by Pledgor as Pledgees
             require to perfect Pledgees' security interest in such additional
             capital stock and, (ii) to Pledgees, or prior to the termination of
             the Intercreditor Agreement to FCC, an assignment separate from
             certificate with respect to such capital stock in the form attached
             hereto as Exhibit B, executed in blank by Pledgor;

                   4.1.3   REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. Deliver to Pledgees a
             certificate, executed by Pledgor and dated the date of such pledge
             as to the truth and accuracy on such date of the representations
             and warranties set forth in SECTION 3 hereof; and

                   4.1.4   ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS. Deliver to Pledgees such other
             certificates, documents and other instruments as Pledgees may
             reasonably request in connection with the pledge of such additional
             capital stock by Pledgor.

             4.2   ADDITIONAL COLLATERAL. Pledgor agrees that such additional
        capital stock shall constitute a portion of the Collateral and be
        subject to this Pledge Agreement in the same manner and to the same
        extent as the Securities pledged hereby to Pledgees on the date hereof.

        5.   VOTING POWER. Unless and until an Event of Default shall have
occurred and is continuing, Pledgor shall be entitled to exercise all voting
powers in all company matters pertaining to the Collateral or otherwise, for any
purpose not inconsistent with, or in violation of, any of the Investment
Agreements.

        6.   INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT. The Liens granted pursuant to this Pledge
Agreement are subject to the Intercreditor Agreement, which, among other things,
subordinates the Lien in the Collateral granted to Pledgee hereunder to the Lien
in the Collateral granted to the holders of Senior Obligations, as defined in
the Intercreditor Agreement.

                                      - 3 -
<Page>

        7.   DEFAULT AND REMEDIES.

             7.1   OCCURRENCE. The occurrence of an Event of Default under the
        Notes shall constitute an Event of Default hereunder.

             7.2   REMEDIES. If an Event of Default shall occur and be
        continuing, Pledgees, at their option and subject to the provisions of
        the Intercreditor Agreement, may:

                   7.2.1   REGISTRATION. Cause the Collateral to be registered
             in its name or in the name of its nominee;

                   7.2.2   VOTING POWER. Exercise all voting powers pertaining
             to the Collateral and otherwise act with respect thereto as though
             Pledgees were the owner thereof;

                   7.2.3   DISTRIBUTIONS.  Receive all dividends and
             distributions of any kind whatsoever on all or any part of the
             Collateral;

                   7.2.4   COLLECTION; CONVERSION. Exercise any and all rights
             of collection, conversion or exchange, and any and all other
             rights, privileges, options or powers of Pledgor pertaining or
             relating to the Collateral;

                   7.2.5   SALE OF COLLATERAL. Subject to any applicable state
             or federal securities laws, sell, assign and deliver the
             whole, or from time to time, any part of the Collateral at any
             broker's board or at any private sale or at public auction,
             with or without demand for performance or advertisement of the
             time or place of sale or adjournment thereof or otherwise, and
             free from any right of redemption (all of which hereby
             expressly are waived by Pledgor) for cash, for credit or for
             other property, for immediate or future delivery, and for such
             price and on such terms as Pledgees in their sole discretion
             may determine;

                   7.2.6   OTHER  REMEDIES. Exercise any other remedy
             specifically granted under this Pledge Agreement or now or
             hereafter existing in equity, or at law, by virtue of statute or
             otherwise; and

                   7.2.7   POWER OF ATTORNEY. With respect to the actions
             described in each of subsections 7.2.2 and 7.2.4 above, Pledgor
             hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints each Pledgee its proxy
             and attorney-in-fact with full power of substitution and
             acknowledges that the constitution and appointment of such proxy
             and attorney-in-fact are coupled with an interest and are
             irrevocable until all of Pledgor's Obligations are paid and
             performed in full.

             7.3   AGREEMENT TO SELL COLLATERAL. For the purposes of this
        Section 7, an agreement to sell all or any part of the Collateral shall
        be treated as a sale thereof and Pledgees shall be free to carry out
        such sale pursuant to such agreement, and Pledgor

                                      - 4 -
<Page>

        shall not be entitled to the return of any of the same subject thereto,
        notwithstanding the fact that after Pledgees shall have entered into
        such an agreement, all Events of Default hereunder may have been
        remedied or all of Pledgor's Obligations may have been paid and/or
        performed in full.

             7.4   PLEDGEES MAY BID. At any sale made pursuant to Section 7.2
        above, Pledgees may bid for and purchase, free from any right of equity
        or redemption on the part of Pledgor (the same hereby being waived and
        released by Pledgor), any part or all of the Collateral that is offered
        for sale, and Pledgees, upon compliance with the terms of sale, may
        hold, retain and dispose of such Collateral without further
        accountability therefor.

             7.5   NO DUTY OF PLEDGEES. Pledgees shall not have any duty to
        exercise any of the rights, privileges, options or powers or to sell or
        otherwise realize upon any of the Collateral, as hereinbefore
        authorized, and Pledgees shall not be responsible for any failure to do
        so or delay in so doing.

             7.6   EFFECT OF SALE. Any sale of all or any portion of the
        Collateral pursuant to Section 7.2 above shall operate to divest all
        right, title and interest of Pledgor to the Collateral which is the
        subject of any such sale.

             7.7   SECURITIES ACT. Pledgor acknowledges that Pledgees may be
        unable to effect a public sale of all or a part of the Collateral by
        reason of certain prohibitions contained in the Securities Act, or that
        it may be able to do so only after delay which might adversely affect
        the value that might be realized upon the sale of the Collateral.
        Accordingly, Pledgor agrees that Pledgees, without the necessity of
        attempting to cause any registration of the Collateral to be effected
        under the Securities Act, may sell the Collateral or any part thereof in
        one or more private sales to a restricted group of purchasers who may be
        required to agree, among other things, that they are acquiring the
        Collateral for their own account, for investment purposes only, and not
        with a view toward the distribution or resale thereof. Pledgor agrees
        that any such private sale may be at prices or on terms less favorable
        to the owner of the Collateral sold than would be the case if such
        Collateral was sold at public sale, and that any such private sale shall
        not be deemed not to have been made in a commercially reasonable manner
        by virtue of such sale having been a private sale.

             7.8   TRANSFER OF CONTROL TO OTHER PERSONS. Pledgor acknowledges
        and agrees that a transfer of control of the Collateral may be made to a
        receiver, trustee or similar official or to any purchaser of all or any
        part of the other Collateral hereunder, pursuant to any court order,
        public or private sale, judicial sale, foreclosure or the exercise of
        any other remedies available to Pledgees hereunder or under applicable
        law.

             7.9   NOTICE. Pledgees shall give not less than 10 Business Days'
        prior written notice to Pledgor of any sale pursuant to this Section 7.
        Pledgor hereby agrees that such notice is commercially reasonable.

                                      - 5 -
<Page>

        8.   PLEDGEES' OBLIGATIONS, CUSTODIAL AGREEMENT, PERFORMANCE RIGHTS,
PLEDGE DOES NOT MAKE PLEDGEES SHAREHOLDERS. Neither Pledgee shall have any duty
to protect, preserve or enforce rights against the Collateral other than a duty
of reasonable custodial care of any such Collateral in its possession, it being
understood that, prior to either Pledgee's purchase of the Collateral at any
sale pursuant to Section 7 hereof, Pledgees shall (i) have no responsibility for
(A) ascertaining or taking action with respect to calls, conversions, exchanges,
maturities, tenders or other matters relating to the Collateral, whether or not
Pledgees have or are deemed to have knowledge of such matters, (B) taking any
necessary steps to preserve rights against any parties with respect to the
Collateral or (C) making any capital contributions or other payments on behalf
of Pledgor and (ii) not be deemed to be a shareholder of the Pledged Companies
unless Pledgees purchase or otherwise retain the applicable portion of the
Collateral in connection with a foreclosure.

        9.   TERMINATION OF PLEDGE AGREEMENT. Upon the payment and performance
in full of all of the Notes or the conversion in full of all of the Notes in
accordance with their terms, Pledgees shall deliver to Pledgor the Collateral in
its possession and this Pledge Agreement thereupon shall terminate.

        10.  MISCELLANEOUS.

             10.1  EXERCISE OF RIGHTS. Pledgor unconditionally agrees that if
        an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, Pledgees may
        exercise their rights and remedies hereunder prior to, concurrently
        with, or subsequent to the exercise by Pledgees of its rights and
        remedies against Pledgor or any other person or entity under any of the
        Investment Agreements or otherwise. The obligations of Pledgor under
        this Pledge Agreement shall be absolute and unconditional and shall
        remain in full force and effect without regard to, and shall not be
        released or discharged or in any way affected by:

                   10.1.1  AMENDMENTS. Any amendment or modification of or
             supplement to any of the Investment Agreements;

                   10.1.2  EXERCISE OR NON-EXERCISE OF RIGHTS. Any exercise or
             non-exercise of any right or remedy under any of the Investment
             Agreements, or the granting of any postponements or extensions
             for time of payment or other indulgences to Pledgor or any other
             person or entity, or the settlement or adjustment of any claim
             or the release or discharge or substitution of any person or
             entity primarily or secondarily liable with respect to any of
             the Investment Agreements;

                   10.1.3  BANKRUPTCY. The institution of any bankruptcy,
             insolvency, reorganization, debt arrangement, readjustment,
             composition, receivership or liquidation proceedings by or
             against Pledgor, the Pledged Companies, the Guarantors or any
             other person or entity; or

                                      - 6 -
<Page>

                   10.1.4  OTHER DEFENSES. Any other circumstance which
             otherwise might constitute a defense to, or a discharge of,
             Pledgor with respect to Pledgor's Obligations.

             10.2  RIGHTS CUMULATIVE. Each and every right, remedy and power
        granted to Pledgees hereunder shall be cumulative and in addition to any
        other right, remedy or power specifically granted herein or now or
        hereafter existing in equity, at law, by virtue of statute or otherwise
        and may be exercised by Pledgees, from time to time, concurrently or
        independently and as often and in such order as Pledgees may deem
        expedient. Any failure or delay on the part of either Pledgee in
        exercising any such right, remedy or power, or abandonment or
        discontinuance of steps to enforce the same, shall not operate as a
        waiver thereof or affect the right of either Pledgee thereafter to
        exercise the same, and any single or partial exercise of any such right,
        remedy or power shall not preclude any other or further exercise thereof
        or the exercise of any other right, remedy or power, and no such
        failure, delay, abandonment or single or partial exercise of rights of
        Pledgees hereunder shall be deemed to establish a custom or course of
        dealing or performance among the parties hereto.

             10.3  MODIFICATION. Any modification or waiver of any provision
        of this Pledge Agreement, or any consent to any departure by Pledgor
        therefrom, shall not be effective in any event unless the same is in
        writing and signed by both Pledgees and Pledgor and then such
        modification, waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific
        instance and for the specific purpose given. Any notice to or demand on
        Pledgor in any event not specifically required of Pledgees hereunder
        shall not entitle Pledgor to any other or further notice or demand in
        the same, similar or other circumstances unless specifically required
        hereunder.

             10.4  FURTHER ASSURANCES. Pledgor agrees that at any time, and
        from time to time, after the execution and delivery of this Pledge
        Agreement, Pledgor, upon the request of either Pledgee, promptly will
        execute and deliver such further documents and do such further acts and
        things as either Pledgee reasonably may request in order to effect fully
        the purposes of this Pledge Agreement and to subject to the security
        interest created hereby any Collateral intended by the provisions hereof
        to be covered hereby. Pledgor and both Pledgees acknowledge their intent
        that, upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, Pledgees shall
        receive, to the fullest extent permitted by law and governmental policy,
        all rights necessary or desirable to obtain, use or sell the Collateral,
        and to exercise all remedies available to Pledgees under the Investment
        Agreements, the Uniform Commercial Code or other applicable law.

             10.5  PRESERVATION OF COLLATERAL. Pledgor agrees that it will
        warrant, preserve, maintain and defend, at the expense of Pledgor, the
        right, title and interest of Pledgees in and to the Collateral and all
        right, title and interest represented thereby against all claims,
        charges and demands of all persons or entities whomsoever which are
        based on a breach of Pledgor's Obligations hereunder.

                                      - 7 -
<Page>

             10.6  NOTICES. All notices and communications under this Pledge
        Agreement shall be delivered in the manner set forth in the Securities
        Purchase Agreement.

             10.7  GOVERNING LAW; JURISDICTION. This Pledge Agreement shall be
        governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of
        Illinois applicable to contracts made and to be performed in the State
        of Illinois. The parties hereto irrevocably consent to the jurisdiction
        of the United States federal courts located in the State of Illinois and
        the State Courts in the County of Cook in the State of Illinois in any
        suit or proceeding based on or arising under this Pledge Agreement or
        the transactions contemplated hereby and irrevocably agree that all
        claims in respect of such suit or proceeding may be determined in such
        courts. Pledgor irrevocably waives the defense of an inconvenient forum
        to the maintenance of such suit or proceeding. Pledgor further agrees
        that service of process upon Pledgor mailed by the first class mail
        shall be deemed in every respect effective service of process upon
        Pledgor in any suit or proceeding arising hereunder. Nothing herein
        shall affect either Pledgee's right to serve process in any other manner
        permitted by law. The parties hereto agree that a final non-appealable
        judgment in any such suit or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be
        enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on such judgment or in any other
        lawful manner.

             10.8  WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. TO THE EXTENT NOT PROHIBITED BY
        APPLICABLE LAW WHICH CANNOT BE WAIVED, PLEDGOR AND PLEDGEES HEREBY WAIVE
        AND COVENANT THAT THEY WILL NOT ASSERT (WHETHER AS PLAINTIFF, DEFENDANT
        OR OTHERWISE), ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY FORUM IN RESPECT OF ANY
        ISSUE, CLAIM, DEMAND, ACTION, OR CAUSE OF ACTION ARISING OUT OF OR BASED
        UPON THIS PLEDGE AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER INVESTMENT AGREEMENT OR THE
        SUBJECT MATTER HEREOF OR THEREOF OR ANY OBLIGATION HEREUNDER OR
        THEREUNDER OR IN ANY WAY CONNECTED WITH OR RELATED OR INCIDENTAL TO THE
        DEALINGS OF THE PLEDGEES OR PLEDGOR OR ANY OF THEM IN CONNECTION WITH
        ANY OF THE ABOVE, IN EACH CASE WHETHER NOW EXISTING OR HEREAFTER ARISING
        AND WHETHER SOUNDING IN CONTRACT OR TORT OR OTHERWISE. PLEDGOR AND
        PLEDGEES ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION 10.8 CONSTITUTE
        A MATERIAL INDUCEMENT UPON WHICH EACH OF PLEDGOR AND PLEDGEES HAVE
        RELIED, ARE RELYING AND WILL RELY IN ENTERING INTO THIS PLEDGE AGREEMENT
        AND THE OTHER INVESTMENT AGREEMENTS. Either Pledgee or Pledgor may file
        an original counterpart or a copy of this Section 10.8 with any court as
        written evidence of the consent of the parties hereto to the waiver of
        their respective right to trial by jury.

             10.9  SEVERABILITY. In the event that any provision of this
        Pledge Agreement is deemed to be invalid by reason of the operation of
        any law, or by reason of the interpretation placed thereon by any court,
        the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining terms and
        provisions of this Pledge Agreement shall not in any way be

                                      - 8 -
<Page>

        affected or impaired thereby, all of which shall remain in full force
        and effect, and the affected term or provision shall be modified to the
        minimum extent permitted by law so as to achieve most fully the
        intention of this Pledge Agreement.

             10.10 SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS. This Pledge Agreement shall inure
        to the benefit of the successors and assigns of Pledgees and the holders
        of the Notes and shall be binding upon the successors and assigns of
        Pledgor.

             10.11 COUNTERPARTS. This Pledge Agreement may be executed in one
        or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original,
        but all of which when taken together shall be deemed to be one and the
        same instrument.

             10.12 NOTATION ON BOOKS. Concurrently with the execution and
        delivery hereof, Pledgor shall cause the Pledged Companies to register
        in its books the security interests in and the pledge of the Collateral
        effected hereby.

                [remainder of this page intentionally left blank]

<Page>

        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Pledgor and both Pledgees have caused this Pledge
Agreement to be executed as of the date first above written.

PLEDGOR:

ALTERNATIVE RESOURCES CORPORATION

By:  /s/ Steven Purcell
     ------------------
         Name:  Steven Purcell
         Title: Senior Vice President and Chief
                Financial Officer

PLEDGEES:

WYNNCHURCH CAPITAL PARTNERS, L.P.

By:  Wynnchurch Management Inc., its general partner

By:  /s/ John Hatherly
     -----------------
     Name:  John Hatherly
     Title: President

WYNNCHURCH CAPITAL PARTNERS CANADA, L.P.

By:  Wynnchurch GP Canada, Inc., its general partner

By:  /s/ John Hatherly
     -----------------
     Name:  John Hatherly
     Title: President

<Page>

                       ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF PLEDGED COMPANIES

        Each of the undersigned hereby acknowledges, on behalf of the Pledged
Companies, the pledge of the Securities described above pursuant to the terms of
this Pledge Agreement.

ARC SERVICE, INC.

By:  /s/ Steven Purcell
     ------------------
Name:   Steven Purcell
Title:  Vice President and Secretary

ARC SOLUTIONS, INC.

By:  /s/ Steven Purcell
     ------------------
Name:   Steven Purcell
Title:  Vice President and Secretary

ARC MIDHOLDING, INC.

By:  /s/ Steven Purcell
     ------------------
Name:   Steven Purcell
Title:  Vice President and Secretary

WRITERS, INC.

By:  /s/ Steven Purcell
     ------------------
Name:   Steven Purcell
Title:  Vice President and Secretary

<Page>

                                    EXHIBIT A

                            Description of Securities

ARC SERVICE, INC.

100 shares of common stock held by Alternative Resources Corporation,
represented by Certificate No. 1.

ARC SOLUTIONS, INC. (f/k/a CGI SYSTEMS, INC.)

72,654 shares of Class A common stock held by Alternative Resources Corporation,
represented by Certificate No. A2.

16,020 shares of Class A common stock held by Alternative Resources Corporation,
represented by Certificate No. A3.

684,166 shares of Class A common stock held by Alternative Resources
Corporation, represented by Certificate No. A11.

6,536 shares of Class B common stock held by Alternative Resources Corporation,
represented by Certificate No. B9.

ARC MIDHOLDING, INC. (f/k/a CGI CORPORATION)

70,000 shares of common stock held by Alternative Resources Corporation,
represented by Certificate No. 1.

1,510,000 shares of Class A Preferred Stock held by Alternative Resources
Corporation, represented by Certificate No. 3.

2,800,000 shares of Class A Preferred Stock held by Alternative Resources
Corporation, represented by Certificate No. 5.

950,000 shares of Class B Preferred Stock held by Alternative Resources
Corporation, represented by Certificate No. 12.

WRITERS INC.

1000 shares of common stock held by Alternative Resources Corporation,
represented by Certificate No. 3.

<Page>

                                    EXHIBIT B

                  FORM OF ASSIGNMENT SEPARATE FROM CERTIFICATE

         FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned does hereby sell, assign and
transfer unto __________________________ ("__________"), ______________ (______)
shares of the capital stock of __________________________, a _________
corporation (the "Company"), standing in the name of the undersigned on the
books of the Company, represented by Certificate No. ___ herewith and do hereby
irrevocably appoint any duly authorized officer of __________________ to
transfer said stock on the books of the Company with full power of substitution
in the premises.
Dated:
       -------------------,-------

ALTERNATIVE RESOURCES CORPORATION

By:
   -----------------------------------------------------------
Name:
     ---------------------------------------------------------
Title:
      --------------------------------------------------------

<Page>

                                    EXHIBIT C

                  Location of Pledgor's Chief Executive Office

600 Hart Road, Suite 300
Barrington, Illinois 60010
County: Lake

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