Adivce wanted on how to not give a friend a job

[Barkeep49]

I am currently serving on a search committee to fill an administration position atmy college. It is considered an entry level position and the last three people have all been recent grads. This year, for a variety of reasons, there are considerablly more applications than before. And a lot of these people are really amazing candidates and so while my friend is without a doubt the most qualified soon to be grad applying it is not looking good for him at this point. Our whole social group, having no idea about the quality of the applicants and knowing the positions history are expecting my friend to get the job. Any advice for how to not drive a wedge between me and my friend (who I think might be pissed but will understand that he got a fair shot) and between me and my group of friends?

[panerd]

I may be totally off base saying this, but I am not so sure that honesty is the best policy on this one. I would tell him something along the lines of the other people on the committee thought that he was qualified, but they thought other people were even more so. (basically your real opinion) But then I would say that you fought tooth and nail for him and couldn't get them to budge.

I can think of many business decisions in which I have been filled in on the truth only to hold a serious grudge. (One involves several of my close friends admitting they voted for another guy over me for employee of the year. It was too brutally honest and I would have rather always just wondered) Maybe that is just me though?