July 28, 2010 - Chicago, Ill. - Hiring remains far from robust, but recent signs of life suggest that employers are poised for a possible surge by year’s end. A recent report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that both hiring activity and job openings have improved significantly in recent months. The latest statistics show that companies hired 4.5 million new workers in May, up from 3.96 million the same month a year ago. In addition to those hired, employers reported having another 3.2 million job openings at the end of the month, compared to less than 2.5 million openings at the end of May 2009. Separations – both voluntary and involuntary – remain at a level (4.1 million in May) that makes it difficult to create a dent in the number of unemployed, which stands at 14.6 million. However, as USA Today reported Wednesday, public companies are sitting on record levels of cash and appear ready to go on a hiring binge as soon as they see evidence that this recovery is sustainable.