what are the best jobs and what kind of party should i have

THis is my party, and thus far, I'v eonly died once:

3 Knights (One of them being Ramza)
1 Summoner
1 Priest

The summoner is good for group attacks. The knights are powerful, and can take on a specific foe or boss. THe priest is good for healing.

Also, don't forget to level up. Probably the most important thing in the game is to level up.

This is my party,i think i died once(just like Garnet lover's)or twice:

1-Ramza/time mage:time magics are usefuuuuul!!!especially haste2 and meteor.
2-Agrias/holy knight:Her lighting stab rocks!
3-Orlandu/holy swordsman:I hate him,but he's the best warrior of the game.
4-Mustadio/engineer:Good for long range attacks.
5-Meliadoul/black mage+white mage's skills:I used her for healing...and for long range attacks.

TIP---If you think that Agrias is weaker than Orlandu,try to equip her with Chantage(steal it from Meliadoul)and she'll become nearly invulnerable.

Well i have to lean more towards the later classes

1.)Ramza- Samurai/Squire (i rotate him between the two jobs)
2.)Beowulf
3.)Random- Chemist
4.)Random- Lancer (with the best spear and shield)
5.)whatever else i feel like taking

i usually get the good jobs classes towards the beginning that way i whup up on the enemies.and i usually have my guys mastered at least 3 jobs before leaving the first chapter but i am obsessed with all my charaters being perfect, even the storyline ones.