The number of job openings in November fell by 38,000 month-over-month to almost 4.02 million on the last day of the month, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. The job openings rate was 2.8% in November, unchanged from October but down from 3.0% in November 2006.

The job openings rate was highest in accommodations and food services at 4.0% in November, but still down from 4.9% in October.

The hires rate fell to 3.4% in November from 3.5% in October and 3.6% in November 2006, according to the BLS. There were 4.65 million hires in November compared to 4.87 million in October.

Separations fell by 98,000 in November to 4.54 million. The separations rate was 3.3% in November compared with 3.4% in October and 3.5% in November 2006.