What to say when she says she doesn't really do coffee dates

She has told you what kind of meeting she finds comfortable. The phrase 'job interview' is a clue. It means she finds the sit-across-from-each-other, long-pause, is-this-going-well setup stressful. That's about the format, not about whether she's interested in you. Someone who was simply not interested would usually just stop replying or give you a flat no. Naming a preference means she's still in the conversation and has given you something to work with.

The other thing to notice is what she didn't say. She didn't say she doesn't want to meet. She said she doesn't do coffee. That leaves room for an activity, a walk, a drink somewhere louder, or a specific thing you both like. Treat the preference as information about what she would enjoy, and you'll find the next step is much easier to propose.

The reply has to do three things, in roughly this order. First, it has to show you took the preference seriously. If you skip past it, she'll assume you're going to keep pushing coffee. Acknowledge it in a single short clause and move on, without apologising for the suggestion or over-explaining.

Second, it has to offer a concrete alternative or ask a question that makes an alternative easy to name. A question about what she likes doing on a weekday, or a specific idea tied to something she mentioned, both work. The move is to make the next step about a thing, not about a format she's already rejected. Third, it should be light enough that she can reply without committing to anything. You want her to be able to say 'oh I'd do a walk' without it feeling like a decision.

If her profile gives you a hook, use it. The climbing detail is a good example. A gym, a bouldering session, or a route you've both been meaning to try gives the meeting a built-in reason to exist beyond conversation.

Reply in daylight, not late at night, and don't send your message within minutes of her last one if you can help it. A few hours is enough to look relaxed. If she responds warmly, keep the thread going and let the plan firm up in its own time. If she gives a short reply or doesn't answer, leave it for two to three days before you say anything else.

If there's still nothing, send one short follow-up that makes it easy to say yes or no, something like a single concrete option. Don't send a second and third message asking whether she got your last one. If that also goes unanswered, let it go. A week of silence after a stated preference is a clear enough signal, and it's kinder to both of you to stop there.