U.S. job openings fell by 27.1% on a year-over-year basis in November to approximately 2.4 million, according to numbers released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The job openings rate fell to 1.8% in November from 2.4% a year earlier.

The number of hires edged down 1.2% in November on a year-over-year basis to approximately 4.2 million. However, the hires rate rose to 3.2% in November from 3.1% in November 2008.

Separations fell by 10.8% in November to 4.3 million from approximately 4.9 million in the same month a year ago. The separations rate fell to 3.3% from 3.6%. Separations include involuntary losses of jobs as well as voluntary departures from jobs such as quits and retirements.