If a newcomer watches someone performing a task very similar to what they will be doing, they are engaging in an seeking tactic

The answer is information seeking tactics. That is the time they gather enough information to learn and have more insights into an organization or agency. It's the time when they try to understand and assimilate what they can to fit in. There is also a certain degree of uncertainty among the newcomers where they think that some of their behavior or what they do is different from what the organization or agency needs. Thus, they try to see what others who are performing some task can help get what the newcomer wanted. 

It all depends on the individual