1、 https:/crsreports.congress.gov December 21, 2018Measuring Job Openings in the U.S. Labor MarketIntroduction The number of job openings is an economic indicator that can provide information about the potential strength or weakness of the labor market. It is often used in addition to two other common
2、ly cited labor market indicators: the unemployment rate and total employment. The unemployment ratethe number of individuals without a job but looking for work, as a share of the labor forcemeasures excess labor supply, while total employmentthe number of filled jobsis one measure of labor demand. W
3、hile these two measures provide information about the strength of the labor market, neither directly measures the number of job openings. Interest in job openings, or job vacancies, has increased recently and is cited frequently in the media and during congressional hearings. Part of this interest i
4、s due to the number of job openings in the United States reaching its highest level since the data collection started in 20007.1 millionin August 2018. Additionally, the number of job openings recently surpassed the number of unemployed persons, which has not occurred since data started being collec
