So, I've hit a wall...

[Cabalabob]

Using trust is helpful, those mobs have really high evasion so magic damage is better than physical. As for gear, it depends on your job. I'm a SMN main so I just did my reformed armour (even just the 109 sets are good for the job specific stats), got an eminent satchel for 115 pet, farmed some job points and soloed tenzen hard mode for a seraphicaller.

Sparks aren't as hard to get as you think they are, set a load of objectives and just play and you'll have more than you know what to do with in no time. Also doing the daily and unity ones is good as they give first time bonus every day.

Hard mode missions and unity wanted NMs are a good way to get some fairly easy 119 weapons.

But job points are where your best stat increases lie, maxing out BP damage and pet attack m.dmg has been a huge boost for my pets, let alone the gifts. Should definitely consider some capacity points farming.