How do I reply to a welcome e-mail for my new job?

Does this email for a job reply back sound good to you?

• Hi Thank you for your application; just encase you are awaiting an early reply please see my approximate timescale below; this is my reply which i got back last week for a job ive applied job, does it sound like i would get an interview with them? The closing date for the vacancy is 28th of October, once the closing date has expired I will be reviewing all applications to shortlist for interview. I do not expect to hold any interviews until at least 2nd or 3rd week of November, I expect to appoint a successful candidate by the end of November early December, start date will be in new year directly after the Christmas break; I will reply to all applicants in due course, in the meantime I thank you for your interest.

• Answer:

  It is completely neutral. The employer representative is just telling ALL applicants what the schedule is for reviewing the applications and conducting interviews and making the hiring decision. They have to do that or every applicant will be bugging them constantly for information on when they will get an answer on their application. They are telling you to sit tight and they will call candidates they want to talk to by the end of November. If you don't hear from them by then, assume you are not one of the people they are interested in. If you do get an interview in November, again you are being asked to wait until they complete all the other interviews and they will let you know by mid December if you are hired. If you are hired you will have to wait until January to start. I'm sure they sent this to every applicant so it doesn't mean anything positive or negative to you personally. You will just have to be patient and NOT contact them.