The number of job openings on the last business day of April edged down slightly to 3.8 million from 3.9 million in March, according to seasonally adjusted numbers 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 April, down slightly from 2.8 percent in March.

The number of hires rose 4.5 percent from March to 4.4 million, and the number of separations rose 3.8 percent to approximately 4.3 million.

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