The DFRPG has four default levels as far as starting stats go. Each has a different amount of skill points, a different amount of "refresh", and in some cases different levels of Max skills.
Do you know what level you'll be playing at? And do you have a concept?
If not, some of the basics are spending refresh for powers/stunts and the skill pyramid. The way the skill pyramid works is that you must have at least as many skills below the line you are working at.
Levels are
Superb
Great
Good
Fair
Average
so you can't have more Superb skills than you have great than you have good than you have fair than you have average... okay, an example would help.
Common builds for the lowest power level are:
3 Good, 3 Fair, 5 Average (11 total skills)
1 Great, 2 Good, 3 Fair, 4 Average (10 total skills)
2 Great, 2 Good, 2 Fair, 2 Average (8 total skills)
And for the highest power level the common builds are:
5 Good, 6 Fair, 8 Average (19 total skills)
3 Great, 3 Good, 3 Fair, 8 Average (17 total skills)
1 Superb, 2 Great, 3 Good, 4 Fair, 5 Average. (15 total skills)
2 Superb, 2 Great, 2 Good, 3 Fair, 5 Average (14 total skills)
Of course if you want more skills you have them at lower levels.
Beyond skills are Aspects. Seven phrases that define your PC. You pick 5 of these and other players will work with you to pick the last two.
Again, it would help to know the power level and concept.
Richard