I have been working for two years after my Master and I am now looking for a PhD. I got a PhD offer from one university, met the person who would supervise me and told them I am very interested, while making it clear that I also applied to other PhD offers and am waiting for answers. They said that that it was not an issue for them.
But now he just sent me an anonymous paper and suggested to me peer-reviewing it to help me "get a foot on the ladder". I am really confused by this proposition since:
- I am still working for my company
- I am still searching for PhD offers to apply, which takes me all my free time,
- I never reviewed a paper before.
So, I am not really in the mood to do this now since I have more urgent concerns. However, I do not want to upset this potential supervisor, nor make them believe that I am not motivated.
So, should I do this review or not, and if I don't, how can I refuse without upsetting this potential supervisor?
Let me precise that I am likely to do my PhD there if my other applications don't get accepted.
EDIT
The paper in question is anonymous and I am asked to peer review it for a journal publication. The paper subject is in my field of research but not really in the field of my potential supervisor.