Vacancies are increasing as companies, running lean from recession-era job cutting, seek to boost headcount amid accelerating growth in the worlds largest economy.

Persistent job growth thats generating income growth and stoking demand increases the likelihood of employment opportunities for even more Americans.

The drop in the number of applications back under 300,000 will help ease concern that the pace of job-market improvement was cooling heading into the holiday-shopping season.

Gross domestic product grew at a 3.5 percent annualized rate in the three months ended September after a 4.6 percent gain in the second quarter.

Payrolls rose in 39 states in September and the unemployment rate fell in 31, a sign the improvement in the labor market is broad-based.

Payrolls climbed in 35 states in August, while the unemployment rate rose in 24, as gradual progress in the labor market continued.

The number of Americans filing applications for unemployment benefits plunged last week to a two-month low, a sign the labor market continues to strengthen.

Spending on health care services increased in the second quarter after falling in the first three months of the year.