Generic advice, but can you make a project that is interesting for which you can share code with hiring managers? This would seem to cut through the challenges

Generic advice, but can you make a project that is interesting for which you can share code with hiring managers? This would seem to cut through the challenges that you described: It demonstrates your ability to code, solve technical challenges, and work from the perspective of the “users/business” (in the context of your project). It also gives you something to talk about. Building rapport helps to bridge gaps in culture.