The number of U.S. job openings in March fell 2.7 percent from February to 4.0 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 — slipped to 2.8 percent in March from 2.9 percent in the month prior.

The number of hires fell 1.6 percent from February to about 4.6 million, and the number of separations edged down 0.6 percent to approximately 4.4 million.