U.S. job openings rose by 0.9% on a year-over-year basis in March to approximately 2.69 million, according to numbers released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The job openings rate was unchanged at 2.0% from a year ago.

The number of hires rose 7.8% on a year-over-year basis to 4.24 million in March. The hires rate rose to 3.3% in March from 3.0% in March 2009.

Separations fell by 14.7% on a year-over-year basis to approximately 4.02 million in March. The separations rate fell to 3.1% in March from 3.6% a year ago. Separations include involuntary losses of jobs as well as voluntary departures from jobs such as quits and retirements.