The number of US job openings fell in November from October, according to data released today by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. The number of hires and separations also declined.

There were 6.9 million job openings in November, down 3.4% from October; however, openings increased 16.1% on a year-over-year basis.

Job openings in November decreased in a number of industries, led by decreases of 66,000 in “other services” and 45,000 in construction. On the flip side, the number of job openings increased by 40,000 in transportation, warehousing and utilities.

Job openings fell in the West region.

The job openings rate — a measure of job openings compared with total employment — was 4.4%, up from 3.9% in November 2017.

MarketWatch reported the number of job openings in the US fell in November to the lowest level since early summer, but companies say one of their biggest hurdles is a lack of qualified applicants and not an unwillingness to hire. Openings still easily exceed the 6 million people classified by the government as unemployed.

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