Damn, it looks like they’re slotting you into a tech lead / people management role because of your years of experience when your experience is better suited for a senior IC role.
Regarding the coding challenges, could it be that your code structure / cleanliness has atrophied from not working in large groups?
How good are your algorithms / data structures skills? If not already good, would you be able to develop them from practicing leetcode? Many people complain about fang style interviews but the nice thing is that if you are capable of doing those kinds of problems there isn’t as much other weirdness in getting a job. With your yoe you would qualify for going straight to phone interview with pretty much any company on interviewing.io if you do well on a few practice phone interviews there first. (I’d also be happy to provide referrals to a couple companies if you can do leetcode style problems.)
Yeah I have become painfully aware of the downside to be found in being the only developer at a company: no finger on the pulse of where the industry is moving and no experience with working with a group of people, which probably yields better results. I was always interested in teaching myself things and continue to do so - my current personal project uses kubernetes, which I am finding is nice enough to work with - but my algorithm skills do need some work. I practiced at hackerrank for a certain period of time last year. I found that I could not think up solutions for the hard problems off the top of my head. Medium problems were hit and miss. That isn't to say I couldn't understand an answer if it were presented to me.
Thank you for the suggestion. I will keep your offer of a referral in mind thank you. Where would these companies be based out of curiosity?
Regarding the coding challenges, could it be that your code structure / cleanliness has atrophied from not working in large groups?
How good are your algorithms / data structures skills? If not already good, would you be able to develop them from practicing leetcode? Many people complain about fang style interviews but the nice thing is that if you are capable of doing those kinds of problems there isn’t as much other weirdness in getting a job. With your yoe you would qualify for going straight to phone interview with pretty much any company on interviewing.io if you do well on a few practice phone interviews there first. (I’d also be happy to provide referrals to a couple companies if you can do leetcode style problems.)