By Ruth Mantell
WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) -- Job openings at U.S. workplaces rose to 4.67 million in June -- the most since early 2001 -- from 4.58 million in May, the U.S. Department of Labor reported Tuesday. Compared with same period in the prior year, June job openings rose 18%, as private-sector openings increased 18% to 4.21 million, and government positions rose to 466,000 from 412,000. With 9.5 million unemployed people in June, there were about two potential job seekers per opening, below May's ratio of 2.1. In June 2013, there were 11.7 million unemployed people -- about three 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, ticked up to 4.55 million in June from 4.53 million in May. Meanwhile, the total number of hires rose to 4.83 million -- the most since 2008 -- from 4.74 million. The level of hires was about 5 million when the recession began.