WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) -- Job openings at U.S. workplaces jumped up to 4.84 million in August -- the most since January 2001 -- from 4.61 million in July, the U.S. Department of Labor reported Tuesday. Compared with same period in the prior year, August's job openings rose 23%, as private-sector openings increased 23% to 4.38 million, and government positions rose to 453,000 from 373,000. With 9.59 million unemployed people in August, there were about two potential job seekers per opening, below July's ratio of 2.1. In August 2013, there were 11.26 million unemployed people -- about 2.9 potential seekers per opening. When the recession began in December 2007, there were less than two potential job seekers per opening. The number of separations, such as quits and layoffs, fell to 4.44 million in August from 4.63 million in July. Meanwhile, the total number of hires dropped to 4.64 million from 4.93 million. The level of hires was about 5 million when the recession began.