I adore FFXI with all of my heart, but for anyone new looking to give it a try: for your own sake, please look up guides. Please look up guides. There's stuff on BG Wiki note and the old FFXIclopedia. Hell, if you'd like, I wrote up a small one a bit ago when some friends showed interest. This was from an era before modern MMOs, it's improved a lot, but the game isn't going to tell you shit!! Please consider having resources handy.
note Heads up though: As helpful as the information in it is, the Lv 1~119 Quickstart Guide on BG does unfortunately throw out ableist remarks pretty immediately.