What is the best way to explain the game to a friend who is new to it

[Kawar]

I my self am getting a friend in to the game but i found the other night when i was explaining the classes to him i did not have a good way to give him the information he wanted.So I thought about coming to the forums to ask for a good way to break down all the classes so that someone who has never played ffxi or ffxiv before can understand them and find the best one for his play style right off the bat.Please keep in mind this guy from the sounds of it never played any games like wow ether so this is a new thing to him 100%. Now i only bring wow in to it seeing as some things can be the same from time to time with how classes may work or controls.I know wow is not the same at all when you look at ffxi or ffxiv.But i my self see things that look the same in it.

I would of been able to explain the old 6 man system to him rather well but this new system i do not know the best way to explain it,is there anyone out there that can help me by breaking down each classes for me in a short or detailed way please.
I would like to say now i am sorry if this is in the wrong forum i did not feel it fit in the new player forum seeing as i am not new nor coming back to the game.

i just looked over the forum btw and nothing but this forum seems like it would be right.Btw the information given will be used to help his questions if he and when he asks them to me.

[Xantavia]

I would say break it down first to what kind of job he wants. Does he want DD or support? Want to cast magic? I would be tempted to describe jobs on what weapons they use, see what he appeals to him. I wouldn't bother with trying to bog him down on what job is best or what the community wants, but let him play what he thinks is fun. My quick and dirty break downs.

WAR - Uses big axes to smash stuff
MNK - H2H, quickly attacks for smaller damage
THF - quick daggers, can spike damage by attacking from certain position
WHM - heals party
BLM - big nukes
RDM - competent melee, healing, nuking. jack of all trades, master of none
RNG - pew-pew
BST - fights with pet
BRD - buffs party
PLD - sword and board, tank
DRK - scythes/great sword with some spells
SMN - magic pets (but would not advise this for first timers due to mini-fights)
DRG - has a spear and pet dragon
SAM - can use special weapon attacks often
NIN - dual wielding katana
BLU - learn enemy attacks to use as spells
COR - pew pew with a gun, buff by gambling
PUP - mnk with a pet robot
DNC - dual wield daggers, great for solo play
SCH - blm and whm -1, but not both at the same time
RUN - great swords, laughs at magic attacks
GEO - buffs with magic spells, some nukes