As many as one fifth of CV's contain outright lies, according to a survey by consultancy firm The Risk Advisory Group (TRAG).

Alluding to inaccurate academic qualifications is one of the most common ways that people lie on their CV's, as well as lies about county court judgements and directorships.

The TRAG survey looked at 3,700 CV's and also found that over half of them included more than one inaccuracy.

TRAG's head of employee screening, Sal Remtulla, said: "This year's results have yet again brought to our attention how unscrupulous candidates can be when applying for jobs and highlight their apparent lack of conscience.

"People are lying more and more."

The results of the survey stem from a highly competitive job market and applicants' desperation to get a job, added Mr Remtulla.

TRAG highlighted the story of one applicant who had claimed that he had worked in Japan for three months and then resigned.

When investigated it turned out he had been fired and deported for shoplifting and assaulting a store employee.

Currently the UK has an unemployment rate of 4.7 per cent.