U.S. Job Openings in November Fall to 7.14 Million, Lowest in Over a Year

JOLTs Report Falls Short of Market Expectations
New Hires and Layoffs Both Decrease
ADP Private Employment Up by 41,000 in December, Below Expectations

The number of job openings in the United States fell to its lowest level in over a year in November of last year. This is interpreted as a sign that companies are becoming more cautious in hiring, amid ongoing policy uncertainties such as tariffs.

A job posting is displayed at a retail store in Mount Prospect, Illinois, USA. Photo by AP News Agency

According to the Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTs) released by the U.S. Department of Labor on the 7th (local time), the number of job openings in November 2025 was recorded at 7.146 million. This figure falls short of the market forecast of 7.6 million compiled by Bloomberg and marks the lowest level in about a year. Previously, the number of job openings for October was revised downward from 7.67 million to 7.449 million, and the November figure was even lower than that.

By industry, the healthcare and social assistance sector had the highest number of job openings at 1.335 million. Professional and business services (1.334 million), trade, transportation, and utilities (1.26 million), and accommodation and food services (837,000) also maintained relatively high levels. However, except for professional and business services, all other sectors saw a decrease in job openings compared to October.

Although new hires slowed, layoffs also decreased, indicating that there has not yet been a sharp contraction in the labor market. The number of hires in November stood at 5.115 million, down from 5.368 million in October, reaching the lowest level since mid-2024. The hiring rate also fell from 3.4% to 3.2%.

The number of quits was 5.08 million, with a quit rate of 3.2%, maintaining a similar level to the previous month (5.069 million, 3.2%). Among these, voluntary quits increased to 3.161 million from 2.973 million in the previous month, while the quit rate remained unchanged at 2.0%. In contrast, involuntary separations, or layoffs, dropped significantly to 1.687 million from 1.85 million in October. Layoffs had reached their highest level since 2023 in October, but in November, they fell to the lowest level in six months, with the layoff rate also declining from 1.2% to 1.1%.

This decline in job openings and the slowdown in new hires are seen as indicators that the labor market is gradually cooling. Rather than resorting to immediate large-scale layoffs, companies are increasingly adopting a wait-and-see approach by reducing hiring.

On the same day, a private employment indicator also showed a recovery, but the pace fell short of expectations. According to ADP, a U.S. private labor market research firm, the number of new jobs in the private sector increased by 41,000 in December 2025 compared to the previous month. After a decrease of 29,000 in November, the figure returned to growth after one month, but the increase was below the Dow Jones forecast of 48,000.