Job openings slide to 2nd lowest level in 5 years as hiring remains sluggish

U.S. employers posted only 7.1 million job openings at the end of November, down from 7.4 million in October, marking the lowest level in nearly five years. The Labor Department’s JOLTS survey also showed layoffs fell, while quits rose to 3.16 million, up from just under 3 million in October. ADP reported a net gain of 41,000 jobs in December after shedding 29,000 in November, and the Bank of America Institute noted job gains rose to 0.6% in December versus 0.2% in November. Despite a 4% annual GDP growth in the July‑September 2025 quarter, hiring remains sluggish, prompting economists to question whether automation will sustain growth without new jobs.