Force.com cookbook is a great place to start (especially if you'll get code examples too). Note that I gave you link to registration page instead of direct link to PDF so you can have a peek at the content. I think it's definitely worth it to register with the community.
Tons of useful resources on http://wiki.developerforce.com
If you need to learn a lot in short timeframe - consider registering for "DEV401" course to become a Certified Salesforce Developer. But if you are a well-organized and motivated person - just try to go through the Cookbok. Both the PDF and the course will lead you through creation of HR system on top of Salesforce.com platform. The examples are really well planned, start off with simple stuff like adding custom fields and slowly move to customisations that really require coding.
("DEV501" course for advanced developers will focus on Apex but as you are new to the platform it won't be the best match unless you really, really have to learn Apex fast because of project problems for example)
A word of advice: read a bit more, at least quickly scan the examples / "use cases" in the Cookbook before you'll rush off to writing Apex code. You can really do a lot on the platform just with few clicks of the mouse.