Chart: Job openings, hires and separations rates by month since November 2007

There were 3.4 million job openings on the last business day of October — the highest since August 2008. The job openings rate increased over the month from 2.3 to 2.5 percent; in October 2009, it was 1.9 percent.

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In October, the hires rate remained at 3.2 percent for total non-farm and the rate was essentially unchanged for all industries and regions.

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The total separations, or turnover, rate in October was little changed, at 3.1 percent.

This data is from the Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey and are seasonally adjusted. Data for October 2010 is preliminary and subject to revision. For more information, see "Job Openings and Labor Turnover — October 2010" (HTML) (PDF), new release USDL-10-1685. Total separations includes quits (voluntary separations), layoffs and discharges (involuntary separations), and other separations (including retirements).