S-tier first picks: Acolyte and Archer. Acolyte has the clearest party value, while Archer gives comfortable ranged progression and strong second-job choices.
A-tier: Swordsman, Mage, Merchant and Thief. They are all valid, but ask for clearer intent: frontline, caster, economy or agile melee.
This ranking is about first-account comfort. PvP, War of Emperium and second-job balance can move the real endgame meta in a different direction.