Pity

This might sound a bit harsh, but it's worth pointing out: no one is looking to do you any favors. Well, at least strangers on the internet aren't... which is why networking is important and we'll talk about it later.

As a hiring manager, I sometimes get DMs, cover letters or emails sporting a sob story like this:

I've been trying to get my first programming job for 2 years, and I'm really struggling. Please consider me for this role - it's my last chance before I go back to putting the fries in the bag.

There are two big problems here:

1. Hiring managers know they'll spend a lot of time with whoever they hire, and no one wants to spend time with negative people. This message communicates that you're a negative person.
2. Hiring managers want to hire people that get the work done well. This doesn't communicate that you have the skills. In fact, it implies the opposite: that no one else thinks you can do the job either.