Given your background I'd change my thinking on what a cover letter has to be. Instead of just another version of your CV its real purpose is to explain why your experience makes sense for this role.

For three paragraphs I'd keep it straightforward:

Paragraph 1: Why you want to work in this specific role and organisation.

Paragraph 2: Two concrete examples of experiences that you draw upon. Don't write 'strong communications skills,' write how, as a comms intern/newsroom assistant/writer you used communications skills.

Paragraph 3: Show how the above experiences coupled with your economics/sociology studies made you a good candidate for this post.

Finish with your short paragraph saying thank you.

Where the application is not to your exact previous job then focus on transferable skills rather than saying there is not a direct match with your previous roles. Research, writing, communications, analysis, interviewing skills, working with different stakeholders etc. Can be transferred between public policy, NGO work, communications, journalism and other roles at an entry-level.

Also I would write a master cover letter that I can modify rather than start again every time. This could contribute to easing the burden on yourself. #jobsearch #interview #resume #application #advice