After graduating from Northern Illinois University in 1983 he joined C.P.S., a large recruiting firm in Westchester, Illinois. After three years of recruiting for manufacturing related positions, he left as a section manager. He then joined a start-up firm called Search Centre Inc. in Downers Grove, Illinois as Director of recruiting. He hired, trained and managed a staff of recruiters working in the fields of Actuarial, Benefits and Compensation. Clients consisted of insurance companies, big 8 accounting firms, multinational corporations and consulting firms. He maintained his own desk and continued to work as a recruiter throughout his tenure there.

In July of 1990 Patrick and his brother Neil opened Waterford Executive Group in St. Charles, Illinois. The firm specialized in benefits and compensation openings, both in corporate as well as consulting firms. Patrick became sole owner in January of 1992 and relocated the firm to the current location in Winfield, Illinois. While he does manage the overall functions of the firm and it's associates, he actively recruits on client assignments and continually looks for new client opportunities. In addition to his several speaking engagements he has produced and marketed an instructional video on interviewing tips for job seekers. The video, "Power Interviewing- A Headhunter's guide to getting hired in the 90's", has sold several thousand copies in North America and Europe.