The number of online job ads rose by 222,700 in April following a decline of 29,600 in March, according to The Conference Board's measure of online job ads released today.

There were 4.15 million job ads in April, up 870,000 over the past six months.

"In a welcome sign for the job market, employers began the spring hiring season with a large 223,000 increase in demand for workers," said June Shelp, VP at The Conference Board. "Providing evidence of the strengthening economy, labor demand in April rose in practically every state and a wide variety of occupations from management positions to office workers and sales help."