The number of job openings in September was little changed from August at 3.9 million, 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 — edged up to 2.8 percent from 2.7 percent in August.

The number of hires rose 0.6 percent from August to about 4.6 million, and the number of separations rose 0.5 percent to approximately 4.4 million.

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