U.S. job openings were unchanged at 6.9 million in March but hiring improved

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: AP

Updated 10:49 AM EDT, May 5, 2026


WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. job openings were essentially unchanged in March but hiring improved before the full impact of the Iran war hit the economy. Employers posted 6.87 million jobs in March, compared to 6.92 million in February, the Labor Department reported Tuesday.

The job market has been up and down so far this year after a dismal 2025. And the Iran war, which began Feb. 28, has clouded the outlook for the economy and hiring.

The Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey showed that layoffs rose in March. But hiring improved: Employers added 5.55 million gross jobs, most since February 2024. More Americans also quit their jobs — a sign of confidence in their prospects.

Job openings have come down more or less steadily since peaking at a record 12.3 million in March 2022 as the U.S. economy bounded back from COVID-19 lockdowns. High interest rates, a response to an outburst of inflation in 2021-2022; uncertainty over President Donald Trump’s policies; and, potentially, the disruptive impact of artificial intelligence have discouraged robust hiring.

Read more: https://apnews.com/article/job-openings-economy-trump-iran-war-hiring-93d758277fc30efef1bcb22341508621

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This the BLS JOLTS report for March. From the source - https://www.bls.gov/news.release/jolts.nr0.htm

[OhioBack2Blue]

1. Over 50, looking for SUITABLE postion given knowledge, skills, advanced educational credentials, experiences etc. ?

.........You are pretty much screwed. I have numerous friends looking for work & it is all the same for all of us ....hundreds of resumes/vita submitted, if lucky 1 or 2 responses that if you are lucky again, result in a screening call that ends with, "well we are still in the process of interviewing candidates, we will let you know if you are selected to move forward."

If in a intersectional marginalized group, odds are even worse, especially in white supremacist, christian nationalist Ohio.

The application tracking software systems are a complete joke.

Delivery, Delivery, Delivery...about the only show in town & be prepared to basically pay them for the privilege of having a job with all the maintenance, gas, insurance plus insurance riders, flat tires, tickets, daycare if needed, service fees etc. etc. etc.)

[johnnyplankton]

2. I've lost faith in government reporting under Trump

It's all about pleasing the King and I suspect those numbers are bullshit.