I just went through returning myself. So hopefully can help.

Depending on gear you had when stopped, Records of Eminence 117 gear can get you up and going enough to get better gear. You want to get through Rhapsodies of Vanadial as soon as possible for its KI's that effect xp and capacity point gains + unlock escha zones. Ambuscade(in mhaura) has decent 119 gear to get you up to a point can get more appropriate gear from escha zone NM's.

Unity NM's are also a good source of gear to help fill in gaps of 119 gear until can do the escha NM's.

Once have a decent set of ambuscade/unity gear, its a mix of getting job points and finding the NM's can kill with better gear for a bit. Which is where I am at, I did have a couple people help with some initial ambuscade.

The other thing is get a variety of trusts ASAP.

http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/th...056#post537439