IT professionals need business skills as well as their technical knowledge to get ahead in the current job market.

According to a survey by IT company Computer People, 68% of IT professionals feel that business skills would give them the edge.

While technical skills remain paramount, with 89% saying they are under immense pressure to keep these up to date, half said that long hours made this difficult.

And the survey, of 500 IT workers, found that many take a pro-active role in keeping their skills up-to-date. Just a quarter said they would like their employer to pay for the training needed to keep up-to-date, while 65% would be happy to arrange their own development if it meant getting the job they wanted.

Brett Budden, associate director of Computer People, said that there was a growing demand for business-savvy IT professionals.

"We have noticed a developing trend in employers seeking IT professionals who are equally able at negotiating with suppliers and team management, as they are using their technical ability," he said.