June 13, 2007 (The Editor’s Desk is updated each business day.)

Job openings in April 2007

In April 2007, the job openings rate was unchanged from the previous month at 2.9 percent. Job openings include only those jobs still open on the last business day of the month.

[Chart data—TXT]

The job openings rate fell over the month in the accommodation and food services industry. None of the regions experienced a significant over-the-month change in the job openings rate.

The seasonally adjusted job openings rate was highest in April for the following industries: professional and business services (4.2 percent), accommodation and food services (3.8 percent), and education and health services (3.7 percent).

The job openings rate is the number of openings divided by employment plus job openings. A job opening requires that a specific position exists and there is work available for that position, work could start within 30 days regardless of whether a suitable candidate is found, and the employer is actively recruiting from outside the establishment to fill the position.

These data come from the Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey. The above data are seasonally adjusted. Data for April 2007 are preliminary and subject to revision. Find additional information in "Job Openings and Labor Turnover: April 2007" (PDF) (TXT), news release USDL 07-0842.