The number of job openings on the last business day of March edged down slightly to 3.8 million from 3.9 million in February, according to seasonally adjusted numbers released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. February’s count was the highest number of job openings since May 2008.

The job openings rate — a measure of job openings compared with total employment — was 2.8 percent in March, the same as in February.

The number of hires fell 4.3 percent from February to 4.3 million, and the number of separations inched up 0.8 percent to approximately 4.2 million.

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