U.S. job openings rose by 4.8 percent in March compared to February and were up 17.2 percent compared to March 2011, according to seasonally adjusted data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The job openings rate — a measure of job openings compared with total employment — was 2.7 percent in March, edging up from 2.6 percent in February.

The number of hires fell by 2.0 percent in March from the previous month, but was up 1.5 percent year over year.

Separations rose 0.7 percent in March from February and rose 4.1 percent on a year-over-year basis. Separations include involuntary job losses as well as voluntary job losses such as from quits and retirements.

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