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

Matching people with available jobs is always difficult after a recession as the economy remakes itself. But labour market data suggest the disconnect is particularly acute this time. Since the recovery began, the number of job openings has risen twice as fast as actual hires. If the job market were working normally, openings would be filled as they appear. Some 5 million more would be employed and the unemployment rate would be 6.8%, instead of 9.5%.