How the hell do YOU write a cover letter?

[Jarlaxl]

I'm seriously stumped. I'm a recent college grad, and I've been writing cover letters for the past few months (well, the past few years, but I've been writing them a lot more frequently since January). They are still the most insanely grueling process I've ever engaged in, and I NEVER have any idea what to write in them. Each one takes me a few days to complete, I never feel like I've produced a good piece of writing by the time I'm done, and they almost never lead to interviews.

I'd rather not post my writing here, so I'm curious what YOU all do to write cover letters?

 

[Catchy Slogan]

Well, like you would right any letter. Dear mr/mrs/miss/ms/ to who it may concern. Be polite. Outline why you are sending them this letter/CV, what you wish to accoplish by this, some of your qualities and why you would fit this role/job/whatever. finish with yours faithfully. yadda yadda.

Easy as that.

Here is some various examples, but don't copy them word for word.

http://career-advice.monster.co.uk/cvs-applications/free-cover-letter-samples/jobs.aspx

 

[Scarim Coral]

The way I make it is to make the template first (that way you can edit some stuff like the employer address or skills you want to mention).
I take it you're struggling on what to say in the letter? Since it's easy enough to put your address and the employer address (also put the job references below "dear"

I set out the paragraphs like this -

1-Intro. Explain who you are and that you are applying for that job.

2-Skill. Mention what skills you have in a sentence (mention a few, not all of them)

3-Bulletpoint. Mention the rest your skills in bullet points (you only need to mention 4 and the skills should be relevant to the employer requirement).

4-Conclusion. Just say thank them for reading it and ask them to contact you when needed.