Well, I can't really speak to the facts about a resume being there to offer an excuse for rejection; but I can speak anecdotally about resumes over the course o

Well, I can't really speak to the facts about a resume being there to offer an excuse for rejection; but I can speak anecdotally about resumes over the course of my career. For the past 5 years or so, I haven't had to touch a resume or even interview for any of the gigs I've worked at. At a certain point in a hacker's career, your reputation should precede you enough that people either know you, or know someone you know. At least, that's how I've found things. The development field is a fairly small community due to the amount of job-changing people do. That being said, until people know who you are, you'd better have an amazing resume ;)