Jobs in FFXI

To see which jobs are the best for each race, click here:
Hume | Elvaan | Tarutaru | Mithra | Galka

Here is a chart of all the jobs and their descriptions:
Job Description Tips
Bard
Beastmaster
Black Mage Black Mages are powerful sorcerers that use their magical abilities to attack enemies through direct damage spells and enfeebling magic. Although physically weak, their potential for destruction pwer spell is far greater than any melee fighter's single attack. By themselves, Black Mages are capable of waging a conservative battle against monsters, but they truly shine in a group setting where they can be protected and free to unleash their magical strength. Black Mages are the powerhouses of the magical world. They specialize in using their magic to cripple opponents with direct elemental and dark spells that
Dark Knight
Dragoon
Monk Monks are powerful frontline fighters who use hand-to-hand combat against their opponents. Possessing high Strength, magnificent Vitality, and a plethora of Hit Points, they are dependable for inflicting wounds against all manner of foes. Monks are a must for parties that need a bit of extra melee damage. Although Dark Knights and Rangers can inflict more pain in a fight, Monks are quite common for lower-level parties. Monks are intended to be damage dealers. They have lots of Hit Points to somewhat offset their second-class armor, but their skills and weapon choice make it possible to land high damage under varying conditions.
Ninja
Paladin
Ranger
Red Mage Red Mages have a little bit of everything. Unlike the other magic jobs, they can wear heavier armor, use more melee weapons, and take more damage, all without sacrificing the ability to cast spells. Although they shouldn't be used as dedicated frontline fighters, Red Mages make wonderful support characters. They can attack with melee weapons while weakening monsters with their enfeebling magic and direct-damage spells. In a pinch, their ability to use healing magic can be a true lifesaver; they can also increase resistances to certain monster attacks. Because they are so versitale, Red Mages are one of the most exciting and interesting jobs to play, and at the higher levels, they get spells that no other mage job can use.
Samurai
Summoner
Thief Thieves are melee fighters that use speed and flexibility to pernetrate an enemy's defense, then nimble dart away before the retaliatory enemy attack. The combined damage from their quick strickes ultimately brings down their target, while their strong evasion and dodging skills serves to keep them out of reach from physical attacks. In addition, Thieves have the ability to steal from their opponents, allowing them to gain gil and items from the monsters they attack.
Warrior Warriors are melee fighters that are balanced between attack and defense; their cricital function in a party is to hold the attention of monsters so that other party members can deal damage and heal without dying. Alone, Warriors aren't nearly as effective in a lengthy melee slugfest. In parties, there is always a place for these brave heroes. In front of every good mage should be a large Warrior. Warriors need high Hit Points to survive and considerable Strength to deal damage.
White Mage As a White Mage, the primary role is to use the healing powers to keep a party healthy. However, the White Mage can also affect monster stats and its ability to hit by using enfeeble magic. The wise application of these spells can often save valuable Magic Points by causing monsters to lose their attack or inflict considerably less damage. White Mages are indespensable to high-level parties and it is never difficult to find a group as a White Mage. On the other hand, because White Mages focus much of their power on healing magic, fighting monsters alone is difficult and dangerous. For White Mages, it's all about how many Magic Points are available because being a White Mage is all about casting as many spells as possible before it's time to rest.

Job	Description	Tips
Bard
Beastmaster
Black Mage	Black Mages are powerful sorcerers that use their magical abilities to attack enemies through direct damage spells and enfeebling magic. Although physically weak, their potential for destruction pwer spell is far greater than any melee fighter's single attack. By themselves, Black Mages are capable of waging a conservative battle against monsters, but they truly shine in a group setting where they can be protected and free to unleash their magical strength.	Black Mages are the powerhouses of the magical world. They specialize in using their magic to cripple opponents with direct elemental and dark spells that
Dark Knight
Dragoon
Monk	Monks are powerful frontline fighters who use hand-to-hand combat against their opponents. Possessing high Strength, magnificent Vitality, and a plethora of Hit Points, they are dependable for inflicting wounds against all manner of foes. Monks are a must for parties that need a bit of extra melee damage. Although Dark Knights and Rangers can inflict more pain in a fight, Monks are quite common for lower-level parties.	Monks are intended to be damage dealers. They have lots of Hit Points to somewhat offset their second-class armor, but their skills and weapon choice make it possible to land high damage under varying conditions.
Ninja
Paladin
Ranger
Red Mage	Red Mages have a little bit of everything. Unlike the other magic jobs, they can wear heavier armor, use more melee weapons, and take more damage, all without sacrificing the ability to cast spells. Although they shouldn't be used as dedicated frontline fighters, Red Mages make wonderful support characters. They can attack with melee weapons while weakening monsters with their enfeebling magic and direct-damage spells. In a pinch, their ability to use healing magic can be a true lifesaver; they can also increase resistances to certain monster attacks. Because they are so versitale, Red Mages are one of the most exciting and interesting jobs to play, and at the higher levels, they get spells that no other mage job can use.
Samurai
Summoner
Thief	Thieves are melee fighters that use speed and flexibility to pernetrate an enemy's defense, then nimble dart away before the retaliatory enemy attack. The combined damage from their quick strickes ultimately brings down their target, while their strong evasion and dodging skills serves to keep them out of reach from physical attacks. In addition, Thieves have the ability to steal from their opponents, allowing them to gain gil and items from the monsters they attack.
Warrior	Warriors are melee fighters that are balanced between attack and defense; their cricital function in a party is to hold the attention of monsters so that other party members can deal damage and heal without dying. Alone, Warriors aren't nearly as effective in a lengthy melee slugfest. In parties, there is always a place for these brave heroes. In front of every good mage should be a large Warrior.	Warriors need high Hit Points to survive and considerable Strength to deal damage.
White Mage	As a White Mage, the primary role is to use the healing powers to keep a party healthy. However, the White Mage can also affect monster stats and its ability to hit by using enfeeble magic. The wise application of these spells can often save valuable Magic Points by causing monsters to lose their attack or inflict considerably less damage. White Mages are indespensable to high-level parties and it is never difficult to find a group as a White Mage. On the other hand, because White Mages focus much of their power on healing magic, fighting monsters alone is difficult and dangerous.	For White Mages, it's all about how many Magic Points are available because being a White Mage is all about casting as many spells as possible before it's time to rest.