AGREEMENT OF JOINT FILING

                                                                       EXHIBIT A
                                                                       ---------


                            AGREEMENT OF JOINT FILING

         In accordance with Rule 13d-1(k) under the Securities and Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended, the undersigned hereby agree to the joint filing on behalf
of each of them of a Statement on Schedule 13D, and any amendments thereto, with
respect to the Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of Webhire, Inc. and
that this Agreement be included as an Exhibit to such filing.

         This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of
which shall be deemed to be an original and all of which together shall be
deemed to constitute one and the same Agreement.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the undersigned hereby executes this
Agreement as of October 1, 1999.

                                   SOFTBANK CAPITAL PARTNERS LP
                                   By: SOFTBANK CAPITAL PARTNERS LLC,
                                       General Partner

                                       By: /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
                                           ------------------------------------
                                           Name:  Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
                                           Title: Managing Director


                                   SOFTBANK CAPITAL PARTNERS LLC


                                   By: /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
                                       ---------------------------------------
                                       Name:  Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
                                       Title: Managing Director


                                   SOFTBANK CAPITAL PARTNERS INVESTMENT INC.


                                   By: /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
                                       ---------------------------------------
                                       Name:  Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
                                       Title: President





                                   XXXXXX X. XXXXXX


                                   By: /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
                                       ---------------------------------------
                                       Name:    Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx


                                   XXXXXXX X. XXX


                                   By: /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxx
                                       ---------------------------------------
                                       Name: Xxxxxxx X. Xxx


                                   SOFTBANK HOLDINGS INC.


                                   By: /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx
                                       ---------------------------------------
                                       Name: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx
                                       Title:  Secretary


                                   SOFTBANK CORP.


                                   By: /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx
                                       ---------------------------------------
                                       Name: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx
                                       Title:  Attorney-in-Fact


                                   XXXXXXXXX XXX


                                   By: /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx
                                       ---------------------------------------
                                       Name: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx
                                       Title:  Attorney-in-Fact



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