By Ruth Mantell
WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) -- Job openings at U.S. workplaces rose to 3.1 million in March, the highest level since September 2008, from 3 million in February, the Labor Department reported Wednesday. Job openings were up 16% from the prior year, with private job openings up 23%. There were about 4.4 million jobs open when the recession began in December 2007. With about 13.5 million unemployed people in March, there were more than four potential job seekers for each opening. The number of separations, such as quits and layoffs, remained at 3.8 million in March. Meanwhile, the total number of people hired remained at 4 million.
