. Matching people with available jobs is always difficult after a recession as the economy remakes itself. But Labor Department data suggest the disconnection is particularly acute this time. Since the recovery began in mid-2009, the number of job openings has risen more than twice as fast as actual hires. If the job market were working normally, openings would be getting filled as they appear. Some five million more would be employed and the unemployment rate would be 6.8%, instead of 9.5%.

a. If the labor market is working properly, why would there be any unemployment at all?

b. Are the 5 million workers who cannot find jobs because of mismatching in the labor market?