New player looking for guidance/community

Hey all! I just recently purchased the game (under a week) and I'm already addicted. However, I don't really know that much about the game itself. I feel like I'm doing a pretty decent job of figuring it out as far as the mechanics and functions available to me so far, but it also occurs to me that its only going to get more convoluted as I progress with the party-style gameplay. That said, I'm looking for any and all tips you vets can give to a brand new player. I'm also looking for a community based free company to join so that I have people to talk to while I play. The game is very fascinating and driving, but it does get lonely out there in Eorzea.

A little info about me:
-I play in Central Standard Time
-I do have a job (split shift) so major play times are in the early AM and a few hours in the late night. Weekends are mostly entirely free with the exception of an occasional Saturday morning shift.
-I play on Hyperion
-I adore humor and close-knit communities
-My character is a Miq'ote Lancer, heading for Dragoon because cats and jumping made sense
-Cranberry Ginger Ale is the meaning of life and I look forward to that more than Thanksgiving

Looking forward to reading your responses and maybe even meeting a few of you in game! Thanks in advance to any who contribute knowledge, I promise it'l be put to use.

Welcome to Eorzea Kwoon! :D

A good place to start if you're after general hints as a new adventurer is here (because there is so much I could tell you you'd probably find it very boring, so unless you wanted help with something specific, this is the next best thing ;)).

Also, sadly I'm on another server (Balmung), but Hyperion is another Legacy server with a quite large and active population to my understanding so you should be able to meet new people easily! :D In particular, have a look at Hyperion's forum at Free Companies/linkshells who are recruiting and are welcoming new players to their ranks, found here.

Just be aware until you're past level 20ish I think you can't actually post there, but you can still view the threads and just take note of the player names of owners of FC/lses who are accepting new members to contact them in the game.

If you need in anything further in particular, please don't hesitate to ask, as that's what this section is for! :D

Hey, Kwoon. I'm a new player as well, currently lvl 12. I'm going to be starting a new Free Company (guild), made up exclusively of new players, looking to help each other out without being a burden on veteran players. I play on the Leviathon server, though, so depending on how far along you are with your character, you might not wanna start over. If not, good luck!

I'm on Hyperion and I can help out with some things (I have dragoon to 50 but I never really play it so don't know much about that job). I'm also in the Central time zone and try to play a little every day. If you see me on shoot me a tell if you need help with anything and if I can help I will. Most of my crafting jobs are at 60, or near it, so if you need anything crafted I would be more that happy to make the stuff for you (free of charge). I can also help with any low level dungeon you may need.

I'm on Jenova. I have a 60 Dark Knight 60 Warrior and 60 Dragoon and I write guides and other videos for new players. If you need help feel free to ask