US employers post more jobs in August while hiring stays flat, latest signs of weak job market

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FILE - In this Wednesday, Aug., 14, 2013 file photo, job seekers Emilio Ferrer, Brian Ferrer, center, and Jonathan, right, of Hollywood, Fla., talk to a FirstService representative at a job fair in Miami Lakes, Fla. The government reports on job openings and labor turnover for August on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2013. (AP Photo/Alan Diaz, File)

WASHINGTON – U.S. employers advertised more jobs in August but hiring was essentially flat, further evidence of a job market that has weakened after a promising start to the year.

The Labor Department says job postings rose 75,000 to a seasonally adjusted 3.9 million in August. July’s total was revised much higher to 3.8 million. Still, the number of job openings has changed little since February.

Employers hired 4.5 million people in August, about the same as the previous month.

More people are quitting their jobs, a positive sign that signals growing confidence in the job market. Total quits have jumped 7.2 per cent in July and August to 2.35 million, the highest level in nearly five years.

In a healthy economy, between 2.5 million and 3 million people quit their jobs.

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