I agree with Tonkra. It's not a proper system. It was thrown together to appease use for a short time, just like most things happening pre 2.0. I'm not complaining, there probably wasn't a whole lot of options. This was probably the easiest to implement. Out of all the different ways they could have implemented jobs, personally I don't think this was the best way to go, but they could have made more sense by:
Class ->
Weapon Specialization, and as such, skills should only reflect weapons. Weapon skills and very basic job abilities for DoW. Some WS's and Basic single target magic for DoM. Cross class skills are allowed, with penalties, same as now.
Job ->
Should become available at level 15 or 20, not 30. Boosts stats relative to what the job entails, adds job abilities and advanced magic, maybe one exclusive weapon skill each (for now). Cross class skills can work the same way. At least 10 abilities/spells exclusive to the job.
The goal is to have, eventually, 2 or more jobs per class. Right now, those jobs are going to be waaaay too similar. The only difference is up to 10 different actions, half of which being cross-class actions that may be the same. And a slight stat change (What is it now, like a maximum of of 20 points shifted around?)
Example: Archer.
Base:
Level 1 - Light Shot, Refill, Heavy Shot
Level 3 - Piercing Arrow
Level 6 - Hawk's Eye - Cross Class skill
Level 9 - Leaden Arrow
Level 12 - Raging Strike - Cross class skill
Level 15 - Shadowbind
Level 24 - Gloom Arrow
Level 32 - Quick Nock
Level 40 - Bloodletter
Level 44 - Chameleon - Cross class skill
Level 48 - Wide Volley
*In my opinion, knowing how to take precise aim (Hawk's Eye), target vital areas (Raging strike) and knowing how to blend in (Chameleon) is something a normal archer would know how to do.
Bard:
Level 18 - Battle Voice - For real, make this a little stronger
Level 22 - Swiftsong
Level 26 - Unlock, Lament of Peace - Wtf, whatever, some kinda HP regen song.
Level 30 - Minuet of Rigor - Make this attack + accuracy
Level 34 - Ballad of Magi
Level 38 - Requiem of Death - Again, whatever, some kinda attack song
Level 42 - Waltz of Wizardry - Sounds awful. Attack Magic + Attack Accuracy
Level 46 - Pianissimo - JA to Single target a song
Level 50 - Paeon of War
Level 50 - Rain of Death - Unlockable weapon skill for use when playing as an archer (Oh snap)
Thief:
Level 18 - Perfect Dodge
Level 22 - Steal
Level 26 - Sneak Attack
Level 30 - Decoy
Level 34 - Flee
Level 38 - Quelling Strike
Level 42 - Hide
Level 46 - Trick Attack
Level 50 - Barrage
Level 50 - Bonus Weapons Skill when playing as archer.
Kinda cool, maybe? Allows for same amount of skills we have now, except for the extra weapon skill. Which would be awesome if that only applied when you were playing as that job, which would mean cross class jobs. Potentially. Though nobody would do it. Thoughts?