By Ovunc Kutlu
ISTANBUL (AA) - US job openings fell to 9.8 million in May, slightly lower than expectations of 9.9 million, according to Labor Department figures released Thursday.
The number of openings last month declined by 496,000 from the previous month, while the figure in April stood at 10.3 million.
In May, the number of hires was flat at 6.2 million, while its rate held at 4%, the agency said in a statement.
Total separations, which include quits, layoffs and discharges, was 5.9 million in May, while its rate was also flat at 3.8%.
Around 4 million workers left their jobs in the world's largest economy in May, while its rate was 2.6%, according to the figures.
The Labor Department's survey measures job vacancies by collecting data from employers about employment, job openings, hiring and separations.
The Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey, or JOLTS, considers job openings for all positions that are open or not filled on the last business day of the month when the survey is conducted.