U.S. job openings fell 36.2% year-over-year in April to approximately 2.5 million, and the job openings rate fell to 1.9% in April from 2.8% a year ago, according to numbers released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Hires and separations also decreased.

The number of hires fell 15.9% year-over-year to almost 4.2 million in April. The hires rate fell to 3.1% in April from 3.6% in April 2008.

Separations fell 8.2%year-over-year in April to 4.7 million. The separations rate edged down to 3.6% from 3.7%. Separations include involuntary losses of jobs as well as voluntary departures from jobs such as quits and retirements.