From last month, job openings have grown 4.5 percent while they have grown 9.9 percent year over year, according to the August 2012 Employment Outlook by job site Simply Hired.

The research also finds that nationwide job competition measures at three unemployed job seekers for every one job opening.

"With nationwide job openings increasing for the third month in a row, we see an improved outlook for those who are unemployed," says Gautam Godhwani, co-founder and CEO of Simply Hired. "While there is uncertainty with the nation's slow growing economy and whether the Federal Reserve may stimulate it in the coming months, it's clear that companies across the U.S. are looking to hire in the meantime."

Job openings grew in each of the 50 major metros for the second consecutive month, the research finds. Of the largest increases are Grand Rapids, Mich., at 9 percent and Cleveland and Salt Lake City at 8 percent. Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston and Houston experienced slightly better job competition, as well.

Of the 18 industries, 14 reported more job in July with hospitality at 11 percent and nonprofit at 9 percent, representing the largest amount of growth while industries that offered fewer job openings are retail at minus 6 percent and construction, media and manufacturing each at minus 2 percent, the research shows.

Occupations that underwent the largest growth in job openings are law enforcement, fire and safety at 15.8 percent and engineers at 14.1 percent. The only occupation that faced a consecutive decline is educators at minus 2 percent, the research shows. Among the top hiring companies are health care-related, and then technology and financial companies.

Instant Insights /

Job openings grow 4.5%

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