The Labor Department in the US has revealed that more US jobs are being advertised.

In July the number of jobs advertised rose by 6.2% to 3.04 million after two months of declines.

The department has said the new figures are a positive sign that companies could step up hiring in the coming months.

Education and health services and leisure and hospitality showed the biggest increases in job openings.

But even with the increase, total openings remain far below the 4.4 million that existed in December 2007, when the recession began.